The largest survey on mobility trends in the Nordics

Mobility Barometer 2025

We use the car more often – and see it as more important

Tougher times notwithstanding, the car continues to play a central role in people’s everyday lives. More than one in four say the car has become more important to them over the past five years.

Many households have seen their budgets shrink as prices have risen, wages lagged behind, and the economic downturn persisted. Several industries have felt the effects of increased consumer caution.

But has this frugality also led to less driving?

In fact, the car remains as important as ever. Since 2022, it has consistently been by far the most popular mode of transport, with about eight in ten people driving weekly. This year, the share who say they use the car every day has increased to 30 percent – the highest level since the Mobility Barometer began four years ago.

Daily car use is most common in Denmark, where 36 percent drive every day, followed by Norway (34), Sweden (27), and Finland (25).

More than one in four, 27 percent, also say the car is now more important in their daily lives than it was in 2021. At the same time, a smaller group, 17 percent, feel the car has become less important – showing that experiences vary, but that the car remains central to many people’s lives.

Importance of the car in daily life compared to five years ago, by country 2025

Share of people using a car daily, 2022–2025

MEKO’s view on the development

MEKO’s mission is to make car ownership simpler and more sustainable over time – to extend the lifespan of what already exists and facilitate mobility. As the car continues to play a central role in our lives, it is equally essential that everyone can maintain and repair their vehicles regardless of their financial situation. This requires a free market where independent workshops can compete with manufacturers’ own service centers. That is how we view our role: We welcome all cars, of all models – and all powertrains.