Cars, EVs especially, will have an even stronger presence tomorrow
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THE FUTURE IS AUTOMOTIVE
The idea of a future powered by a strong electric current makes young people feel particularly optimistic about the evolving role of cars. In 2011, 29% of young people surveyed felt that cars would play a more important role in society in 30 years’ time, while 45% believed that their status would remain unchanged. In the space of 13 years, there has been a dramatic shift, with the two scores having been more or less reversed. 47% expect cars to play a more important role and the score for this item has risen in every country (33% think its status will be identical). This enthusiasm is all the more striking when compared with the more measured responses of seniors. Indeed, the older generation are most likely to state that the status quo will be maintained (the proportion who believe that cars will play more or less of a role is 30%, in both cases) (Fig. 25).
Fig 25 – Perceived evolution of the car’s place in society in 30 years
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The infographic presents the responses to the question: “In your opinion, in 30 years, the place of the car in our society will be:”, asked to all respondents. Three options are proposed: “More important than today”, “The same as today”, and “Less important than today”. The results are compared for three age groups: 18-29 years old, 30-49 years old, and 50 years old and over.
The data displayed are:
18-29 years old: more important 47%, same importance 33%, less important 20%
30-49 years old: more important 38%, same importance 40%, less important 22%
50 years old and over: more important 30%, same importance 40%, less important 30%
The results show that 18-29 year olds are the most likely to anticipate an increased role for the car in 30 years, while 30-49 year olds and 50 year olds and over consider it more frequently to remain stable. The oldest respondents are also the most likely to anticipate a decreased importance.
Source: Cetelem Automobile Observatory 2025.
THE REIGN OF ELECTRIC CARS IS NIGH
Naturally, if cars are to take on an even more important role in society, they will rely on electric motors to propel them into the future. On this issue, young people once again appear to have stronger convictions than seniors. 6 out of 10 believe that EVs will replace combustion-powered cars, while half of the older generation are of this opinion. These results should make brands feel more confident in their decision to go headlong down this road (Fig. 26).
Fig 26 – Future replacement of thermal cars with electric cars
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The infographic presents the responses to the question: “Do you think that the electric car will eventually completely replace the thermal car?”, asked to all respondents. Two answers were possible: “Yes” and “No”. The results are compared for three age groups: 18-29 years old, 30-49 years old, and 50 years old and over.
The data displayed are:
18-29 years old: yes 63%, no 37%
30-49 years old: yes 59%, no 41%
50 years old and over: yes 47%, no 53%
Overall, a majority of respondents, especially among the youngest, believe that the electric car will eventually completely replace the thermal car. This conviction decreases progressively with age, until it becomes a minority among 50 year olds and over.
Source: Cetelem Automobile Observatory 2025.
KEY DATA
- 1 in 2 young people believe cars are the main cause of global warming
- 1 in 2 believe that current restrictions are sufficient
- 1 in 2 believe that EVs are more eco-friendly than combustion powered cars
- 1 in 2 believe cars will play a greater role in 30 years’ time
- 6 out of 10 can see electric cars replacing their combustion-powered equivalents
- in the future