A new survey by GoCar, Ireland’s leading car and van-sharing service, has revealed that 70% of drivers would consider giving up their car if public transport options were better. Additionally, 18% said they would drive less frequently but were unfamiliar with alternative transport options.
The annual GoCar Index highlighted the rising cost of vehicle ownership as a major concern, with nearly 24% of respondents reducing their driving due to higher fuel prices in recent years. A further 62% stated that increasing expenses would make them consider giving up their car altogether.
Car Dependency in Ireland
The survey, conducted by Amárach in November, gathered insights from 1,100 drivers on their car usage, transport alternatives, and views on future mobility. It highlights Ireland’s significant reliance on cars, ranking the country as the second most car-dependent nation in the EU. According to a 2022 European Commission report, 76% of Irish people use a car as their primary mode of transport on a typical day—second only to Cyprus at 85%. Car ownership remains high, with more households owning multiple vehicles. In 2024, 22% of car owners reported having two or more vehicles, up from 21% in 2023.
A Shift in Attitudes Towards Car Ownership
The 2025 GoCar Index also found that Irish drivers are increasingly open to giving up their vehicles, particularly secondary cars. Almost one in five (15%) respondents said they would consider giving up a second car in the coming years, while 10% were willing to part with their primary vehicle. Younger drivers were the most likely to consider this change, with 21% of under-35s saying they were thinking of giving up their main car and 28% considering getting rid of a second vehicle. The main motivation for younger people was financial, with 46% believing they could save a significant amount of money by reducing their reliance on cars.
Commenting on the survey findings,Joe Quirke, head of GoCar said “The research shows the desire among Irish car owners, particularly younger car owners, to reduce the number of cars per household. We welcome this enthusiasm and want to remind car owners that GoCar offers a practical alternative by giving drivers convenient vehicle access if and when needed,”
“Whether you’re considering giving up a secondary car to save on costs or free up space, GoCar provides a hassle-free solution. Fuel and insurance are all included in our hourly rate, making it an ideal choice for those who need occasional access to a vehicle. GoCar is committed to providing flexible, cost-effective solutions to help individuals and families reduce their reliance on private cars, he added.”
What Would Encourage People to Give Up Their Cars?
Improved public transport emerged as the most influential factor in encouraging people to reduce their car use. A striking 70% of respondents said they would be more likely to give up their car if better public transport options were available. Rising costs were also a major concern, with 65% stating that increasing expenses would encourage them to part with their vehicle—up from 62% in last year’s survey. Working from home was another key reason, with 36% of respondents saying they no longer required a car as much due to remote work.
Barriers to Giving Up Cars
Despite a growing willingness to transition away from car ownership, several barriers remain. When asked about their main reasons for keeping their car, 77% of respondents cited the need for grocery shopping, while 61% pointed to the lack of reliable public transport. Commuting to work (57%) and child-related commitments (46%) were also major factors preventing people from giving up their vehicles.
On the other hand, among those considering giving up their car, 43% said they wanted to walk or cycle more, 35% cited working from home, 31% were motivated by a desire to reduce their carbon footprint, and 13% pointed to a lack of parking at home as a deciding factor.
