Car ownership gap: Viennese people have significantly fewer cars than rural residents!

Car ownership gap: Viennese people have significantly fewer cars than rural residents!

Are the streets in Vienna really that different from those in rural areas? A current analysis by the Austrian Transport Club (VCÖ) is sparking discussions about the growing differences in car ownership between cities and rural areas. This research shows impressive numbers and reveals striking differences that might surprise many.

In Vienna there are five districts in which there are fewer than 300 cars per 1,000 inhabitants, while in 17 other districts the density is above 700 cars per 1,000 inhabitants. The gap with the lowest car density is particularly stark in Vienna-Margareten, where there are only 258 cars per 1,000 people. In contrast, the Waldviertel district of Waidhofen an der Thaya has the highest density with 775 cars per 1,000 inhabitants. The general car density in Vienna is 363, while Burgenland, with 692 cars per 1,000 people, is well above the Vienna average, according to the VCÖ in a report.

Differences in communities

The analysis reveals that car density also varies greatly within Austria. There are currently around 5.15 million cars in Austria, which corresponds to around 570 cars per 1,000 inhabitants. What is interesting is that there are only 16 places outside Vienna that have more than twice as many residents as cars. Kittsee, Wolfsthal and Hainburg, for example, show a low car density of 406, 426 and 456 cars per 1,000 inhabitants. In contrast, there are some small communities such as Unterperfuss and Jungholz that have a high density, reports VCÖ in a further analysis.

But there are big differences not only in density, but also in annual mobility costs. Households with two or more cars spend an average of 10,500 euros per year on mobility, while one-car households only spend around 4,200 euros and car-free households only spend 1,550 euros. This makes it clear that it often pays off financially to go without a car.

Causes for the differences

The reasons for the growing gap in car ownership are varied. VCÖ expert Michael Schwendinger cites urban sprawl, the decline in local amenities and the expansion of road infrastructure as the main factors. In addition, a shrinking of the rail network gives hope for a trend reversal in many regions, explains Schwendinger. According to the VCÖ, traffic-saving spatial planning, strengthening town centers and better public mobility options are urgently needed.

The decline in car density was recorded in many districts, including Hallein, Feldkirch, Graz and 16 districts of Vienna last year. This could be an initial indication that people's mobility behavior is increasingly changing.

What can be done?

The VCÖ recommends a series of measures to reduce the number of cars and improve the traffic situation. These include the expansion of cycling infrastructure and increased car sharing. After all, it's not just important how many cars we drive, but also how we can move around in our surroundings. Given the latest figures and developments, it is clear that policy makers are required to meet the mobility needs of a changing society while protecting the environment.

The statistics on the number of vehicles in Austria are regularly available and show us the structure and development of vehicle registrations. The Statistik Austria provides valuable data on the motorization rate, which can serve as a basis for future planning and initiatives. These and many other factors will be the key to further optimizing mobility behavior in Austria.