Seven in 10 (70%) people would consider giving up their car if public transport improved, car- and van-sharing service GoCar has found.

A further 18% said they would drive less often if public transport improved but that they are unfamiliar with alternative options.

The annual GoCar Index highlights the cost of running a car as a significant concern among respondents, with nearly a quarter (24%) claiming to be driving less often due to the increase in the price of petrol and diesel in recent years.

Some 62% of drivers said they would consider giving up their vehicle due to rising expenses.

Amárach surveyed 1,100 car drivers in November about their car usage, transport alternatives, and views on future mobility options for the study.

One in five (22%) car owners have more than one vehicle, with family commitments (52%) and commuting to work (34%) cited as the main reasons for requiring multiple cars.

Over a third (36%) of drivers claim they have reduced their driving since the pandemic, causing 10% of drivers to plan to give up their primary car in the coming years, while 16% are considering giving up a secondary car.

Young drivers are much more likely to consider giving up their car, with 21% of respondents under 35 years old saying they were thinking of giving up their primary car in the next few years, while 28% were weighing up getting rid of their secondary vehicle.

Nearly half (46%) of respondents in that age group said they could save a ‘considerable’ amount of money if they didn’t rely so much on a car.

The research found that grocery shopping (77%) is the main reason drivers would not part with their car, however, 36% would be encouraged to give up the car if they could work from home more.

Other reasons cited that would encourage drivers to say goodbye to their motor are working from home (65%), wanting to cycle or walk more (41%) and reducing their carbon footprint (35%).

Electric vehicles are seen as too expensive though, with 40% seeing high upfront costs as the main barrier to purchasing an EV.

A third would consider an EV if a government scrappage scheme returned, while one in four supports a tax-free shared mobility allowance, particularly among younger and urban drivers

Over three-quarters (77%) of car journeys across Ireland are completed in less than 30 minutes and it was also found that 28% drive less than 5km per trip.

User data from GoCar shows that the average return distance of a GoCar trip is 86km, suggesting that GoCar customers use the cars for more intentional trips.

“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," said Joe Quirke, head of GoCar.

"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.”

(Pic: Conor McCabe Photography)