Changing Habits: Young people driving more, report shows

Toronto, Ontario -- Vehicle use patterns among younger drivers in the U.S. are shifting, a new survey from Enterprise Mobility shows.

About two thirds (66 percent) of Gen Z respondents—often assumed to be stepping away from driving—reported using private vehicles weekly or more in 2025, up from 62 percent in 2024. More than half (52 percent) say they are driving more this year than last, while the share of Gen Z respondents driving only a few times a month or less dropped to three percent in 2025, down from seven percent a year ago.

“Gen Z’s transportation habits defy easy categorization,” said Will Withington, executive vice president of global operations at Enterprise Mobility. “The mobility landscape is changing fast, and consumers are shaping what comes next. This survey gives us valuable insight into how we can deliver mobility solutions that are people-centric and forward thinking.”

More than half of drivers say they prefer a mix of touch screens and physical buttons in their vehicles, and 54 percent believe new cars already have “too much technology.” At the same time, 68 percent say they would willingly give up the latest tech for a more affordable vehicle. Advanced driver assistance systems remain popular, with 47 percent saying they want features such as blind-spot detection, automatic emergency braking and lane-departure warning.

When it comes to electric vehicles, the survey found that while hybrid or EV ownership rose by seven percentage points year-over-year, EV purchase consideration sits at 41 percent—up only one point from 2024. The market appears to be splitting: 93 percent of “committed enthusiasts” say they are likely to buy an EV next, while 98 percent of “holdouts” say they remain unlikely to do so.

“For nearly 70 years, Enterprise Mobility’s business has been grounded in listening to the people we serve,” said Withington. “The results of this survey make clear that no matter how mobility evolves, the goal remains the same: solutions that keep people at the center.”

Autonomous vehicles are gaining awareness—up eight points since 2024—but overall comfort with the technology has fallen five points. Among the 10 percent of respondents who have ridden in an AV, 92 percent say their perception stayed the same or improved. For those still cautious, top concerns include technical errors (67 percent), preferring to stay in control (63 percent) and safety worries (54 percent).

“There’s still some hesitation around AVs, but these insights reinforce the fact that experiencing technology changes everything,” said Chris Haffenreffer, vice president of strategy at Enterprise Mobility. “As a global mobility leader, we have the opportunity to expose customers to new technology to increase their comfort and adoption.”

Other findings show that 21 percent of respondents are driving more instead of flying this year. Of office commuters whose travel times increased, 89 percent said the rise was less than an hour and that they’d be more willing to return if their employer offered commuter benefits. When asked what’s held them back from buying a car in the next two years, respondents cited affordability (34 percent), high interest rates (31 percent) and high maintenance costs (24 percent).

The “On the Move” survey was conducted online between April 30 and May 17, 2025, among 3,000 adults across the U.S. and U.K. (1,500 from each). The U.S. sample included Gen Z (18 percent), Millennials (27 percent), Gen X (24 percent), Baby Boomers (25 percent) and the Silent Generation (six percent).