Declining populations and economic malaise in many European countries are just some of the forces contributing to what most agree seems like a lasting decline in the continent's demand for automobiles.
“Europeans are driving less and are likely to continue doing so,” observes Matthew Curtin. Stuart Pearson, an analyst at Morgan Stanley attributes this to “a wide range of forces–from high fuel costs, increased online shopping and social interaction, to more congested roads in increasingly crowded European cities.” Furthermore, “ownership, demographic and vehicle-age trends [suggest] that a recovery in Europe could remain elusive for the rest of this decade,” reports Curtin.
“Europe resembles Japan in the early 90s,' said Hakan Samuelsson, the chief executive of Volvo Cars, where car demand has fallen since 1992. “It’s a phenomenon dubbed as 'peak-car' by analysts at Morgan Stanley,” adds Curtin, who suggests that Europe may have already reached its climax in 2007, when 16 million vehicles were registered. That number has continued to fall since, and is expected to reach around 11 million - back to 1993 record low levels - before stabilizing.
FULL STORY: Are Cars ‘Going Out of Style’ in Europe?
Electric Vehicle Sales Strong in 2021; SUVs Sales Still Dominate the Market
In December, data showed SUVs on course to account for more than 45% of global car sales in 2021.
Gas Prices and Vehicle Miles Traveled Analyzed Since 2000
Urban economist Joe Cortright examines the connection between gas prices and driving in the U.S. over the last two decades. Prices matter: increased gas prices results in decreased driving, providing the prices persist for the long-term.
World's First Level 4 Autonomous Vehicle Factory Planned for Michigan
Waymo, not General Motors, is brining automobile manufacturing back to Michigan.
Opinion: Aging Population, Declining Fertility Requires Long-Term Investments
Faced with the dire consequences of a one-two punch of aging populations and declining birthrates, one writer has suggestions for how policy can help ensure a better future.
The Surprising Oil Tax in the Inflation Reduction Act
President Biden has made reducing gas prices paramount in his administration, so it was likely a surprise to hear a Republican senator last Sunday warn TV viewers that a revived and increased oil fee in the climate bill will increase their gas costs.
The Tide Has Turned Against Open Streets
Once a promising development for advocates pushing for a less car-centric future in cities, the open streets movement has ceded significant ground to cars since the height of the pandemic.
Vision Zero Still a Pipe Dream as Road Deaths Continue to Climb
U.S. traffic fatalities hit a twenty-year peak in the first quarter of 2022.
Opinion: Los Angeles Transportation Plan Will Increase Driving
L.A. Metro’s plan to add hundreds of miles of new traffic lanes is projected to increase carbon emissions by 10 million metric tons.
How Extreme Weather Threatens Transit Systems
As weather events become more intense and unpredictable, transit agencies must take steps to protect their aging infrastructure from flooding, storms, and extreme heat.
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Cohousing Association of the US
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Crystal River
Sun City Center Community Association, Inc
City of Mesa
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Hand Drawing Master Plans
This course aims to provide an introduction into Urban Design Sketching focused on how to hand draw master plans using a mix of colored markers.
