Youth Movement: Gen Z Driving More, Embracing Shared Mobility
52% of Gen Z respondents report driving their car this year more than last year, the biggest increase among any generation.
The share of Gen Z respondents who reported using a private vehicle only once or a few times a month decreased year-over-year to 3% in 2025, down from 7% in 2024.
At the same time, Gen Z (14%), Millennials (13%) and Gen X (11%) are more likely than Baby Boomers (2%) or Silent Generation (1%) to use mass rapid transit weekly or more.
Gen Z (16%) and Millennials (12%) are more likely than other generations to use ride hailing services weekly or more.
Gen Z (18%), Millennials (14%) and Gen X (16%) are more likely than Baby Boomers (4%) or Silent Generation (3%) to use the public bus system weekly or more.
Americans Want Balance with Automotive Technology
Americans seem to be pushing back on some vehicle technology, with 54% believing there is too much technology in new vehicles.
Nearly three-quarters (72%) worry about things like repair costs if it breaks.
Nearly 7 in 10 drivers say they would willingly give up the latest tech for a more affordable vehicle (68%).
Everyday tools like GPS and Bluetooth are still considered must-haves, and safety is a key consideration for consumers, with nearly half (47%) preferring to have advanced driver assistance features in their vehicles, including blind spot detection, automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning.
Although fewer than 1-in-5 respondents said they desire high or full automation, Gen Z and Millennials were most likely to prefer high or full automation in their vehicle.
Nearly half (48%) of U.S. drivers say they expect rental vehicles to have all the latest technology.
For Self-Driving Cars, "Experience Changes Perception”
Awareness of autonomous vehicles (AVs) continues to grow, up 8 percentage points since last year.
Americans' comfort level with the technology has decreased 5 percentage points since last year.
Top cited concerns include technical errors (67%), lack of control (63%) and safety (54%).
Six in 10 Americans who are excited about AVs recognize that they could be game changers for people who can't or don't drive (60%).
More than half (51%) recognize that AVs give riders time to do things in a car besides drive; for example, turning commutes into “me time.”
The Electric Vehicle Movement May Have Hit a Plateau
Though more Americans are using hybrid or electric vehicles as their primary ride (up 7 percentage points year over year), overall EV consideration has stalled, inching up just 1 percentage point since 2024 to 41%.
The top purchase motivators are saving money on gas (38%) and using a vehicle that’s “better for the environment” (30%), while the top deterrents are up-front costs (35%) and range anxiety (35%).
The market appears to be splitting into two camps:
Committed enthusiasts, who are likely to purchase an EV as their next car, are as likely — or more likely — to consider purchasing an EV than they were 12 months ago (93%).
Holdouts, who are unlikely to purchase an EV as their next car, remain firm in their reluctance (98%).
Regionally, Americans in the West (52%) are more likely than those in other regions to consider EV adoption.