Uber drives car-light lifestyle in Canada

For many Canadians, using a personal vehicle is an integral part of their daily routine. There are over 26 million registered vehicles in Canada, and the average distance driven by Vancouver residents was just shy of 4,000 km per person in 2023, according to the City of Vancouver’s Transportation Survey. 

However, few consider the negative impact of such widespread personal vehicle use. In 2019, Canadian vehicles accounted for a staggering 84 percent of transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions. Urban car dependency not only contributes to environmental harm but also consumes valuable land that could be used for housing and public amenities, driving up living costs. Air pollution from vehicles also presents health risks, including respiratory and cardiovascular issues. Reducing personal vehicle reliance is a crucial step toward building healthier, more sustainable communities.

That’s why in July 2024, Uber launched the One Less Car Challenge.

The One Less Car Challenge called on 60 Vancouver and Toronto residents to give up their cars for a month and share their experiences. Participants received up to $1,300 to explore alternative transportation options to get around including public transportation, walking, cycling, car rental and rideshare.

The study aimed to show that it was possible to embrace a car-light lifestyle that saves money, reduces emissions, and helps foster more livable cities. The goal was to uncover the barriers that prevent people from making more sustainable transportation choices and inform recommendations to enable a car-light society.

The results were remarkable, shifting habits and perspective.

During the study, participants successfully adopted a car-light lifestyle by using a multimodal transportation ecosystem, including ridesharing, to almost completely replace a household vehicle.

The study revealed that reliable access to four alternative transportation options is essential to reduce the reliance on private vehicles. On average, participants used at least three different modes regularly, with public transit, walking, and carpooling being the most common choices.

Public transit usage among participants increased by 238 percent during the study. Uber also played a role, particularly for late-night trips or transporting heavy items.

Once participants realized how easy — and beneficial — reducing their personal car use could be, they wanted to stick to it. One-quarter of participants in Vancouver and Toronto said they planned to drive less than they did before the study. Familiarity with diverse transportation options made participants more willing to use them and more open to trying new alternatives in the future.

The transition to a personal car-free life wasn’t always smooth sailing.

Despite the benefits, the transition wasn’t without hurdles. Participants faced increased travel time, as trips without a car often took longer. Limited flexibility and control over daily schedules, combined with insufficient infrastructure such as bus shelters, bike lanes, and sidewalks, posed additional challenges.  

Individuals in different regions faced different challenges in their transportation landscape, with urban participants relying on public transit use, while those in more suburban landscapes leaned on carpooling when transit options weren’t efficient enough to meet their needs. Participants found themselves having to be more deliberate with their travel, often taking fewer trips overall.

The shift wasn’t instantaneous, either. Individuals found it took at least two weeks to fully adjust to their new car-light lifestyle.

Once they did, however, Vancouverites saw more and more benefits. From increased exercise to greater support for local businesses, participants discovered new perspectives on their daily lives and new opportunities to engage with their communities.

Recommendations to shift to a car-light future

Driving a car is a deeply ingrained habit in cities, but there are ways to encourage Canadians to rethink the ‘one-person–one-car’ mentality. Investing in quality public transit makes it easier, safer, and more efficient for people to get around. Improving transportation connectivity in rural and suburban areas can ensure that residents in typically car-heavy regions have reliable alternatives, and different modes of transportation should be better integrated to simplify the transition between transit systems. Finally, more choices lead to more effective transportation overall — shared mobility options, such as scooters, bikes, rideshare, and carshare, can help give individuals the most choice possible to suit their specific needs.

While reducing reliance on personal vehicles in Canada is no small task, the One Less Car Challenge demonstrates that it is achievable — and worthwhile. With a shift toward public transportation, cycling, walking, rideshare, and other sustainable modes of travel, Canadians can save money, reduce emissions, and create healthier, more connected communities.

By embracing car-light living, we can reach a more sustainable future together.

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