By 2035, private car use will decline around the world, and people will choose "more efficient, greener and more convenient" transportation, predicts the McKinsey consulting company.
McKinsey expects the global proportion of transportation provided by private cars will drop from 45% in 2022 to 29% by 2035. The usage of automobiles will be drastically reduced in European and American cities mostly.
"Public transportation, scooters, e-bikes, and mini-cars - very small three- or four-wheeled vehicles - could become the preferred mode of transport, rather than a last resort for people who cannot afford cars," the report notes in The Future of Mobility paper.
McKinsey says that governments in numerous countries such as Norway, Spain, France, India and Mexico are already taking steps to restrict the number of vehicles on the road in order to "reduce congestion and emissions," while customers "are opting for more efficient, greener, and convenient transportation options."
Experts note, "urban residents... will drive the majority of the change," and major changes in transportation infrastructure are likely to occur in cities.
McKinsey estimates there are currently 1.3bn cars in use worldwide, with the majority of them being privately owned.
"Private vehicles create traffic congestion because they typically carry fewer passengers than public transportation or other shared travel options," research states.
Furthermore, as experts point out, a big number of automobiles encourages developers to build garages and local governments to provide more parking spots, "absorbing scarce urban land" that could otherwise be used for parks.
The expansion of roads and related infrastructure to relieve congestion forces governments to spend more on maintenance and operation. Most crucially, the research underlines that "high levels of private car ownership contribute to increased carbon emissions."
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