Frustratingly, the CO2e savings from increased home working have been negated by commuters now choosing worse emitting modes when they do go into the workplace. Old habits die hard it seems, and single occupancy car commutes continue to dominate the mobility landscape with 46% of commuters driving alone in traditional cars, i.e. those with an internal combustion engine. Interestingly, EV drivers made up just 3% of commuters, despite a 92% increase in EV sales since 2020, according to EV charging app, Zap Map.

Solo drivers of traditional vehicles and EVs combined made up 49% of all commutes in 2022. This is notably similar to single occupancy commute levels recorded in the Government’s 2011 census.

This will no doubt be a blow to sustainable mobility activists who felt they were making progress over the last decade before the pandemic hit.A number of survey respondents cited proximity concerns with regard to shared transport, such as car sharing, trains, tubes and buses, which would account for a rise in single occupancy vehicle commutes. It’s clear more work needs to be done to alleviate these fears if we hope to see an uptake in these modes.

This data indicates that much of the modal-shift observed during the pandemic, such as increased walking and cycling, have not become permanent. Collectively, these behaviours have contributed to a worse national ACEL (average commuter emissions level) post vs pre pandemic.

Despite conventional wisdom around workers not having adequate commuting options – the Commuter Census data clearly shows a significant majority of commuters (63%) are predominantly driven by convenience.

While it’s little surprise that convenience, time and cost continue to be the key drivers of our commuting behaviours, it’s also important to consider the external pressures dictating the future of the commute. This year, commuters were blighted with a series of external events that continue to noticeably impact travel behaviours – and may continue to shape them long into the future. As discussed further in the article Cost of living and commuter trends.

The repercussions of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine caused rapid increases

in the cost of fuel across the UK. Against a wider backdrop of high inflation, many people sought, and continue to seek to save cash as the cost-of-living soars. Prices threatened to reach all-time highs of £2 per litre, leaving many wondering if they’d be able to afford to use their cars at all.

The vast majority of commuters (61%) proclaimed to be ‘very concerned’ about rising fuel costs. These prices don’t just impact motorists. Public transport operators are expected to lock in fuel purchases at higher rates for the next year, further burdening the millions who rely on these modes.

Public transport users were shown to be the least satisfied with their commute, with many expressing frustrations with slashed services affected by strikes.