Millions of Aussies are set to throw away their car keys in a bid to have more flexibility around the choice of vehicle they drive and when.
According to new research from Avis Australia, some 3.5 million Australians are moving to a car subscription model over owning a vehicle outright, with millennials leading the way.
Environmental concerns and technological innovations are also influencing the way we use cars and our road travel habits.
The findings are included in the Road Ahead special report, commissioned by Avis Australia and conducted by YouGov, to identify the evolving interests and needs of Aussie drivers.
Road trips continue to be on the rise, with over three in four (77%) of Aussies taking at least one road trip in the past year.
Going forward, an additional one million travellers will be taking a driving holiday in the next 12 months, with the average trip hitting the six-day mark.
The great Australian road trip is now lasting an average of six days.
Other key findings include:
- Three in five (62%) Australians say they would rent an EV to ‘try before they buy’
- Australians are seeking more environmentally friendly ways to travel, with 57% saying they believe a road trip in an electric vehicle is a more sustainable way to take a holiday, compared with other options such as flying or cruising.
- More than half (54%) of Australians believe future innovations in road travel are more exciting than other ways to travel
“It’s an exciting time for the industry as we see developments in technology reshape travel,” said Avis Budget Group Pacific Managing Director, Tom Mooney.
“We predict an uplift in Australian consumers seeking car hire solutions with sustainability and adaptability in mind, underscored by a desire to lower environmental impact and travel flexibly.”
Avis Australia currently offers electric car rentals at Port Melbourne, Melbourne CBD, South Melbourne, Launceston Airport and Hobart Airport. The company will have EV coverage across all major airports and CBD locations by the end of 2024.
