Owning a car is growing less important to younger drivers, and a new report by Zipcar found that cars are taking a backseat to other technologies, such as smartphones and laptops, for the Millennial generation. The survey of those between the ages of 18 and 34 found that almost two-thirds are more concerned about losing either their phones or computers than they are about losing their vehicles. Millennial drivers who live in urban areas take advantage of car-sharing programs like Zipcar, Relay Rides and Wheelz to access vehicles when they need them instead of taking on the responsibility of car ownership. Many of these peer-to-peer car sharing companies further connect with this generation of drivers by allowing them to reserve vehicles directly from apps on their smartphones.<\/p>\n
"We're living through the most important shift in transportation in generations – the creation of a new mobility society. Soon we'll live in major metropolitan areas that include networks of ubiquitous, mobile-app powered on-demand mobility services," said Zipcar chairman and CEO Scott Griffith. "These mobility networks will enable connected consumers to pick the best mode of transportation for each trip, in real-time. Millennials are leading the charge for this highly efficient new model that is revolutionizing how people get around."<\/p>\n
These findings help to explain a recent report by Pew Research, which found fewer people under 35 own cars. This study found the recent recession to be a major factor in lower ownership rates, but it could be a combination of both factors, especially because many younger adults tend to live in urban areas where they can rely on public transportation for much of their travel needs.<\/p>\n