FORGET BUYING A CAR: Young people turning away from car ownership as Uber says attitudes are changing

Britain’s younger generation appears to be rethinking the long-held ambition of owning a car, with new figures highlighted by Uber UK suggesting that many now see mobility services, including taxis, private hire vehicles and public transport, as a practical substitute for private vehicle ownership.

Andrew Brem, UK General Manager at Uber, said the findings reflect a broader change in how younger people view personal transport. In a statement, Brem wrote: “Today’s figures are a reminder of just how much is changing. Half of twentysomethings now think they can happily live without ever owning a car. More than half say owning a car in a city is pointless.”

The comments come as rising vehicle purchase costs, insurance premiums, fuel prices and parking charges continue to make car ownership increasingly expensive, particularly for younger adults living in urban areas.

At the same time, the widespread availability of app-based transport services means many people can access a vehicle only when they need one, rather than paying the fixed costs associated with ownership.

Brem acknowledged that private car ownership will continue to play an important role for many households, particularly outside major towns and cities. However, he suggested attitudes are becoming more flexible.

“For many people, learning to drive and owning a car will still be important. But it’s increasingly clear that it’s not the only path to independence,” he said.

For the taxi and private hire industry, the trend could represent both an opportunity and a challenge. If fewer young adults choose to buy a car, demand for licensed transport services may continue to grow, particularly for commuting, social trips, airport transfers and journeys where public transport is less convenient.

Traditional taxi operators and private hire firms have increasingly invested in booking apps, cashless payments and live vehicle tracking to compete with ride-hailing platforms. Many fleets are also expanding wheelchair accessible vehicles, larger people carriers and zero emission vehicles to meet changing customer expectations.

Uber believes its own platform is well positioned to benefit from this shift. Brem said the company’s ambition is to become part of people’s everyday transport choices rather than simply an occasional alternative.

“Our vision is about giving people more options. Whether it’s getting to the train station, taking the kids to football, helping older relatives stay independent, or simply leaving the car at home for an evening out.”

He added that Uber intends to continue expanding beyond major cities.

“As we continue expanding into more towns and communities across the UK, we’re building Uber to be useful for everyday life, wherever you live.”

The trend is not unique to Uber. Across the wider mobility sector there has been growing discussion around the concept of “Mobility as a Service”, where consumers combine buses, trains, taxis, private hire vehicles, cycling and walking instead of relying on a privately owned vehicle. For the licensed taxi and private hire trade, attracting and retaining these younger customers could become increasingly important as travel habits continue to evolve.