The changing face of global mobility

William Chamberlain at L.E.K. Consulting explores the most recent trends that are driving the global mobility market

 

From EV enthusiasm to a surprising revival in the joy of driving, global mobility is being reshaped in real time. Since 2015, L.E.K. Consulting has conducted an extensive annual global mobility study offering valuable insights into the evolving transportation trends and consumer perceptions shaping the future of mobility.

 

The 9th Annual Global Mobility Study, our most recent report, examined how regional market trends in Europe and beyond are shaping the future of transportation, with findings highlighting persistent enthusiasm for car ownership, growing environmental concerns, and the impact of geopolitical uncertainties on mobility choices. 

 

With the latest report building on a dataset of nearly 100,000 respondents from the UK, US, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, and Australia over a nine-year period, let’s examine the trends that have dominated and driven the mobility market. 

 

 

Continued appetite for the car

Despite widespread media speculation about the decline of car ownership, enthusiasm for owning a vehicle remains strong, particularly in the UK. In fact, 59% of UK respondents in our survey said they would still choose to own a car even if it weren’t a necessity, suggesting that reports of the “death of the car” may be greatly exaggerated.

 

Enjoyment of driving has also grown across all surveyed countries, with the UK seeing a rise from 57% in 2022 to 66% in 2025 among those who agreed with the statement, “I enjoy driving.”

 

This renewed passion for driving is reflected in future purchase intentions. In the UK, 40% of respondents said they plan to buy a car for personal use within the next year, double the number who said the same in 2022.

 

However, while the appetite for car ownership is increasing, consumers remain sceptical about subscription-based features. Half of UK respondents reported no interest in paying monthly for upgrades such as heated seats or self-driving capabilities. Another 36% said they would consider subscriptions, but only for select features like advanced driver assistance systems or enhanced in-car connectivity.

 

There is a deep-rooted cultural norm of car ownership, and a dislike of the concept of paying again for something you have already paid for. Where this may have more traction is in the large leased vehicle market, where monthly payments for a car could be increased slightly for an add-on feature or service.

 

 

Environmental concern and EV enthusiasm 

Interest in environmentally friendly transport continues to grow steadily, with 46% of UK respondents now expressing significant interest, an increase from previous years. 

 

This rising enthusiasm is reflected in real-world trends: as of April 2025, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) account for 20.7% of all new car registrations in the UK, up by 37,718 units compared to the same period in 2024. Infrastructure improvements are also helping to drive this momentum, with a 37% year-on-year increase in public charging points making EV ownership more convenient and accessible. Intent to purchase is following suit, with 38% of UK respondents planning to buy a car in the next 3 years now saying they are likely to buy a BEV, up from 27% last year. 

 

EV adoption patterns vary across regions. North America remains dominated by premium models, while greater affordability is a key factor in Europe and Australia, boosted by the growing presence of Chinese manufacturers such as MG and BYD.

 

However, among those who do not yet own an EV, lingering concerns remain. Despite significant improvements, such as a 20% drop in price premiums, average ranges now reaching 300 miles, and a 261% increase in EU public charging points since 2021, perceptions of cost, efficiency, and convenience have not shifted significantly. Most EVs now come with a standard battery warranty of eight years or 100,000 miles, yet some scepticism persists.

 

Consumer openness to Chinese EVs is also increasing. In the UK, 34% of respondents said they would consider buying a Chinese-made vehicle, higher than in France and Germany but training the USA, Spain, and Italy. Nevertheless, Western brands, particularly German manufacturers such as BMW and Audi, continue to lead in perceptions of quality and luxury.

 

 

Perceptions of AVs and eVTOLs

Interest in robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles has steadily increased in recent years. As of now, 31% of UK respondents express interest in autonomous vehicles, up from 23% and 17% in the previous two years. Moreover, upwards of 50% of those surveyed said they would consider using a fully autonomous, driverless taxi service.

 

However, concerns around safety and trust in the technology remain significant barriers. 73% of respondents are worried about the safety of autonomous vehicles, 60% don’t trust the technology, and 37% fear that GPS misinterpretations or poor connectivity could impact the vehicle’s performance.

 

In the US, consumers in states where robotaxis are already operational are generally more optimistic. For example, in San Francisco, Waymo’s service launched in 2023, and is now operating 250k rides per week in these three cities, indicating driverless taxi services are now starting to scale operations. 

 

Despite this, the wider rollout of autonomous vehicles faces multiple challenges, including capital requirements, social adaptation, and regulatory hurdles. Testing in adverse weather conditions, enhanced traffic management, and cyber-security threats also remain major obstacles.

 

Meanwhile, awareness of electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) remains low, with 75% of UK respondents, 79% of Canadians, and 80% of Germans having never heard of them. This lack of awareness is a key barrier to enthusiasm, as those with prior knowledge of eVTOLs are much more likely to consider using them. In the UK, 57% of the general population wouldn’t consider using eVTOL technology, but this figure drops to just 36% among those familiar with the concept.

 

Across all regions, the main drivers of interest in eVTOL technology include timesaving, congestion relief and reduced emissions. However, safety concerns, affordability, lack of infrastructure, and limited availability remain key factors holding back widespread enthusiasm.

 

 

The impact of geopolitical uncertainty 

It’s hard to ignore the impact of geopolitical developments on the mobility industry. The unpredictability of these shifts within the political and economic landscape, particularly over the past few months as new tariffs emerge from America, makes things even more complicated.

 

It’s harder to fully comprehend the implications they will have on the global supply chain and major auto markets. These changes will naturally drive up car prices and limit the supply of used cars, impacting industries and consumers alike. With these changes occurring alongside ever-shifting net-zero commitments and limited public investment in transportation infrastructure, the uncertainty right now is palpable.

 

The mobility landscape is being reshaped by shifting consumer attitudes, emerging technologies and evolving geopolitical dynamics. It’ll be fascinating to see how these views continue to develop when it comes to our next global mobility report and to see how the industry has shifted or stagnated on these important and transformative issues across sectors. 

 

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William Chamberlain is a Strategy Consultant at L.E.K. Consulting

 

Main image courtesy of iStockPhoto.com and wundervisuals