A couple of days ago Inc Magazine reported that 22 percent of Uber riders age 18-64 are delaying a purchase of a car because of Uber. This data is based on a survey by Consulting firm Frank N. Magid Associates which included responses from 2.400 consumers.
Today's Millennials or Generation Y as they are also called prefer access before ownership - In an article in Fast Company, Josh Allan Dysktra argue that the concept of shopping have shifted from owning stuff to buying into new ideas. Furthermore Dysktra argue that we are starting to think differently about what it means to own something and that this paradigm shift in thinking together with new technology will create even more growth for the on-demand economy.
This approach is often called platform-thinking which essentially means that you are creating more value without creating more physical stuff. However, most users of these services may not primarily be motivated by environmental concerns - it's more likely that consumers use these services because they deliver a seamless customer experience in a cost-efficient way. On the other hand the environmental benefits does not need to be the aim or the main selling point of a service or a product, it can be the natural effect and maybe that's the most effecient way to promote sustainable choices.
Check out these blog posts from us for further readings about trends related to Uber and the car sharing industry: