New research shows 20 percent drop in Brits taking their car to office due to hybrid working and surge in fuel costs

New data from leading last-mile automation and employee parking software Wayleadr released today, has shown a significant decrease in the numbers of workers driving to the office since the onset of the pandemic. The survey, which was conducted among 500 individuals across the UK has revealed that 39% of employees are using their car to get to the office just 2 days a week. This indicates an increase in consumer awareness of rising fuel costs and a swift adaptation to hybrid working. Wayleadr is a global last-mile automation and parking management solution for smart offices, that enables employers and employees to optimise their space management and transform the parking experience for more than 100,000 workers worldwide.

Other interesting findings of the new study have revealed:

A 20% decrease in the number of workers driving to their place of employment daily when compared to this time last year.

When it comes to pet peeves, 29% of people say drivers taking up two parking spaces was the biggest annoyance, followed by the cost of parking at 23% and people parking over the lines at 22%.

Pre-pandemic, 40% of drivers struggled to find a space when commuting to the workplace, with 29% saying it’s easy to identify spots.

58% of drivers find there to be “plenty of space” in their work car park, compared to just 43% pre-pandemic.

(Research carried out from March 2021-March 2022)

According to figures from the RAC, diesel pump prices have risen from 140.56p in January 2012 to 176.76p in March 2022, while unleaded has soared from 132.25p in January 2012 to 165.40p in March 2022. It also found there are over 27 million private automobiles currently owned across the UK. With 1 in 5 Britons currently working a hybrid model and fuel prices continuing to surge globally, Wayleadr expects the numbers of those driving to the office to continue to drop, with an increase in demand for better parking management as companies struggle to rightsize their real estate investment.

Speaking about these latest findings, Garret Flower, CEO and Founder of Wayleadr, said:

“As we emerge from the pandemic, embrace a new model for how we live and work and employees experience a continued surge in fuel price increases, technology has the potential to improve the commute and the end-user experience. Cars and drivers of the future need a new way to complete journeys, and the planet needs a new way to move forward. These survey results are indicative of the shift in attitudes when it comes to motoring and commuter expenses”