Data Insider

Resist the temptation to paint Millennials with a broad brush, as a recent survey reveals that this young generation harbors some surprising attitudes toward the traditional method of getting from A to B. 

A five-year survey by Zipcar of these 18- to 29-year-olds suggests they are shifting away from driving and car-ownership in favor of car-sharing due, in part, to deep concerns about the environment. Some economists cleverly cite that Millennials would likely rather give up their cars than their smartphones.

A deeper look at this study by The Washington Post showed that beliefs of the anti-auto crowd were also held by “non-Millennial urbanites” (persons of any age who lived downtown). 

It wrote that true Millennials who live away from the city embrace automobiles for many obvious convenience reasons.

“This solidified what we suspected for years,” says Brian Harrington, Zipcar’s Chief Marketing Officer. “City-dwellers of all ages really have certain lifestyles that lend themselves to trying new technology, and in particular new mobility solutions.”

Zipcar’s results also show that a 28-year-old professional in the city has more in common with the 42-year-old living in the apartment next door than a 28-year-old mom who chooses to live in a subdivision, writes The Post.