CStore Decisions

  • Home
  • Today on CSD
  • Categories
    • CBD
    • Foodservice
    • Fuel & Gas
    • Health & Beauty
    • Independent Operators
    • Operations & Marketing
    • Technology
  • CStore Playbooks
    • CBD Playbook
    • Foodservice Playbook
    • Technology Playbook
    • Alcoholic Beverage Playbook
    • Tobacco Playbook
  • Products
    • Hot New Products Contest
    • Beverages & Cold Vault
    • Candy, Gum & Mints
    • Snacks
    • Tobacco
  • Resources
    • Digital Issues
    • Research & Downloads
    • Podcasts/How To Series
    • On Location
    • FAQ
    • 2022 Top 111 Chains
    • Leaders in Convenience
    • Rack Prices
    • Sponsored Content
    • Videos
    • Webinars / Digital Events
    • White Papers
  • Events
    • 2021 Chain of the Year
    • Convenience Directions
    • NAG Convenience Conference
    • Young Executive Organization
  • Join
    • National Advisory Group
    • Safe Shop Assured
    • Young Executive Organization

COVID-19 Has Altered Americans’ Mindset on Driving

Despite the stress of parking, Americans are opting to drive over taking public transportation, and many are considering an electric vehicle for their next car purchase.

By Erin Del Conte | April 19, 2022

Share

Americans’ mindset on driving has changed dramatically due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a survey of 1,000 U.S. adult drivers conducted in February 2022 by parking reservation service SpotHero.

Parking is a source of stress for most drivers, the survey found, but nearly 75% of drivers plan to avoid public transit by driving to work at this stage in the pandemic.

Nonetheless, the drivers surveyed said they expect their commute will be less stressful and greener in the future, with almost 44% of those surveyed preferring to search online with an app for parking and 57.8% of drivers surveyed considering purchasing an electric vehicle (EV) for their next vehicle.

“The COVID-19 pandemic marked a transformation in Americans’ attitudes towards commuting and parking,” said Mark Lawrence, SpotHero Co-founder and CEO. “This survey shows that Americans lose time and face high costs because of trouble they encounter when parking. Now, in the wake of the pandemic, the use of public transit has dropped. The result is that more Americans are using and recommending apps like SpotHero.”

One striking finding of the survey was just how stressful parking has become for most drivers:

  • Half of Americans (48.5%) agree that parking is stressful
  • More than a quarter of people would rather listen to Christmas music year-round (30.9%) or go to the dentist (29.6%) than drive around looking for parking
  • More than a quarter of people (27.3%) spend at least 30 minutes looking for parking
  • 63.5% of people admit to being late because they could not find a parking spot
  • Almost half of American drivers (43.4%) admit to getting into a verbal argument with a stranger over parking, and almost half of Americans (43.3%) admit to feeling road rage while parking

A Transformation in Light of COVID-19
In addition, the pandemic shifted the attitudes of American motorists toward a preference for driving to work:

  • Nearly 75% of American drivers plan to avoid public transit by driving to work, a 15% increase compared to 2019.
  • 83.6% of American drivers in metropolitan areas have chosen to drive over taking public transit.
  • Convenience was the highest weighted factor when considering transportation, with 53.6% of respondents saying that convenience is a factor “all the time.” Cost was the second highest factor, with 40.5% responding that cost is a factor “all the time.”

Greener, More Tech Savvy Future
Many American drivers see technology as providing solutions to their current frustrations, with 29.4% preferring to prepay for parking and reserving a spot from their phones. In addition:

  • 33.9% of people prefer to search online via an app for parking
  • 69.9% of adults would be willing to prepay for parking at a discounted rate
  • More than a quarter of people (26.1%) who reserved parking in advance with a service would be extremely likely to recommend that service to a friend or colleague
  • 57.8% of drivers surveyed are considering purchasing an electric vehicle (EV) for their next vehicle
  • Many consider sustainability “regularly,” with 38.5% of the respondents replying, “all the time”
  • Of American drivers in urban areas who drive EVs, a whopping 91.8% would consider paying more for a parking garage retrofitted with an EV charging station
    25-34 yr. olds: 94% yes
    35-44 yr. olds: 91.3% yes
    45-54 yr. olds: 100% yes

“Technology can relieve much of the burden and stress of parking,” added Lawrence. “A simple app that allows you to find, reserve and pay for a parking spot is key to making an easier commute possible. It provides peace of mind, which is invaluable.”

 

Related Articles Read More >

bp Shares Plan to Decarbonize the Texas Gulf Coast
Shell Signs Deal to Sell Businesses in Russia
EG America to Launch Summer of SmartPay Promotion
360Fuel Receives Funding to Increase Biofuel Availability
Safe Shop Assured

CStore Decisions Newsletter

Sponsored Content

  • Create Some Positivity at the Pump: 3 Ways to Fuel Customer Experiences
  • How Minuteman Food Mart Ensures a Consistent Customer Experience Across 44 Stores
  • Three Challenges Disrupting C-Store Operations and How to Overcome Them
  • Why Wait? Converting to E15 is easy.
  • It’s time you profited from your checkout line

Get the Magazine

Subscribe Now!
Subscribe Now!

Manage Current Subscription
CStore Decisions
  • New CSD Print Subscription
  • Manage current print subscription
  • CBD Retail Trends
  • CStore Products
  • NAG Convenience Conference
  • Convenience Directions
  • Rack Prices
  • Subscribe to CSD’s E-Newsletter
  • About CStore Decisions
  • Advertise

Copyright © 2022 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search CStore Decisions

  • Home
  • Today on CSD
  • Categories
    • CBD
    • Foodservice
    • Fuel & Gas
    • Health & Beauty
    • Independent Operators
    • Operations & Marketing
    • Technology
  • CStore Playbooks
    • CBD Playbook
    • Foodservice Playbook
    • Technology Playbook
    • Alcoholic Beverage Playbook
    • Tobacco Playbook
  • Products
    • Hot New Products Contest
    • Beverages & Cold Vault
    • Candy, Gum & Mints
    • Snacks
    • Tobacco
  • Resources
    • Digital Issues
    • Research & Downloads
    • Podcasts/How To Series
    • On Location
    • FAQ
    • 2022 Top 111 Chains
    • Leaders in Convenience
    • Rack Prices
    • Sponsored Content
    • Videos
    • Webinars / Digital Events
    • White Papers
  • Events
    • 2021 Chain of the Year
    • Convenience Directions
    • NAG Convenience Conference
    • Young Executive Organization
  • Join
    • National Advisory Group
    • Safe Shop Assured
    • Young Executive Organization