Some households are vulnerable in the transition to sustainable mobility

The energy transition involves measures that discourage the use of petrol and diesel cars, such as low-emission zones and higher fuel prices through environmental taxes. These initiatives aim to reduce emissions, but can have unintended consequences for households that cannot afford to switch to sustainable transport options.

🔍 A recent study by TNO, based on a unique combination of microdata, sheds light on Dutch households' potential vulnerability to the mobility effects of the energy transition. The research reveals that between 113,000 and 270,000 households in the Netherlands face both low incomes and high fuel costs, with a concentration in medium-sized towns and cities.

⚠️ It is crucial to consider these households, which cannot make the transition to sustainable transport unaided. Limited financial resources may make it impossible to respond to price incentives or other sustainability policies, leading to higher mobility costs and a greater risk of transport poverty.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The most vulnerable group includes a disproportionate number of families with children and single-parent families, with income mainly from benefits or pensions. These households are more often found in medium-sized towns and cities than in rural areas, with a concentration along the south-eastern edge of the Netherlands.

🚲 TNO stresses the importance of developing new transport policies to prevent rising mobility costs from causing mobility problems. Policies that encourage greater use of alternatives such as electric bicycles, shared transport and public transport appear promising.

🏗️ It also recommends reviewing the locations of planned new housing to ensure access to employment and amenities without dependence on a car. This is becoming increasingly relevant in the energy transition, particularly for lower-income households.

📖 More details and the full report:https://lnkd.in/eSZTfnkK