Eight in ten entrepreneurs expect to switch to shared mobility.
Entrepreneurs in the Netherlands are about to make a major shift from owning to sharing means of transport, according to recent research by ANWB Business. This year, more than 82% of entrepreneurs expect to make the switch to shared mobility, a notable increase compared to last year's 66%.
The move towards shared mobility is not limited to a certain type of vehicle; it includes cars, bicycles, scooters and even cargo bikes. The majority of these entrepreneurs expect to make this switch within three to five years. This signals an increasing awareness and need for more sustainable and cost-effective transportation options within the business community.
Patrick van Weert, Product Manager at ANWB Business, indicates that the trend is partly driven by the rising costs of vehicle ownership, but also by practical considerations such as parking problems and increasing traffic pressure in city centers. “Although entrepreneurs are traditionally very attached to their own vehicle, they are opening their eyes to the possibilities of shared transport,” says Van Weert.
MyWheels, a car sharing provider, also confirms this trend in practice. Currently, 20 percent of rides through their platform are for business purposes, and they expect this percentage to continue to grow.
Within the entrepreneurial world there is an interesting difference in the speed at which different groups expect to switch to shared mobility. For example, SMEs, who often use or own multiple vehicles, expect to make the switch more quickly than self-employed people. “An SME company often has to deal with multiple vehicles that alternate, which means a larger investment,” Van Weert explains. In contrast, for self-employed people, who typically only need one vehicle, it could take up to ten years to complete this transition.
The research conducted by ANWB Business involved 497 entrepreneurs involved in business mobility. This study is not only intended to spot trends, but also to identify the biggest challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs in the near future. ANWB Business has also opened a special counter for entrepreneurs and those responsible for mobility policy to provide support with any questions or concerns regarding mobility.
