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Research - 02.04.2025 - 10:00 

Appointment mobility of the future: home office, bike leasing, mobility budgets

In Switzerland, 36% of the total traffic can be attributed to professional mobility. In Germany the figure is as high as 43%. A new study by the Future Mobility Lab of the Institute for Mobility (IMO-HSG) shows which innovative mobility options are being used by companies to influence the mobility behaviour of their employees.

The study “Future mobility for appointments: how companies are helping to shape the mobility transition” (in German) analyses how employees travel in their everyday working lives – from daily commuting to business trips. By actively understanding these journeys, companies can not only manage their infrastructure and operating costs better, but also take responsibility for the environmental impact and safety of their employees - for example, by reducing emissions and making journeys to work stress-free.  

Researchers from the University of St.Gallen surveyed 983 employers and 2922 employees in Switzerland and Germany. They also accompanied selected companies over several months as they further developed their understanding of their mobility.

“The positive results are striking: Appointments are increasingly moving away from a strong focus on personal cars and opening up to the use of a wide range of mobility options.”
Dr. Philipp Scharfenberger, Vice Director at the Institute for Mobility (IMO-HSG)
The HSG research team (from left to right): Jannis Linke, Luisa Stöhr and Dr. Philipp Scharfenberger

Transformation processes  

Many companies have recognised the need to rethink and adapt their mobility. The majority of the companies surveyed are already undergoing change and are implementing various measures, including: 

  • Electrification of car fleets (55%): Over half of companies want to reduce emissions and cut operating costs by switching to electric vehicles. 
  • Promotion of home office options (39%): Flexible working models reduce the daily commute and enable employees to achieve a better work-life balance. 
  • Provision of public transport subscriptions (38 %): Companies support the use of public transport to promote sustainable alternatives to private transport. 
  • Expansion of infrastructure for bicycle commuters (34 %): Improved bicycle parking spaces and charging points for e-bikes would make it easier to switch to cycling. 

Challenges and uncertainties 

Despite the growing importance of modern mobility concepts, many companies are facing structural and organisational challenges. Three key obstacles show why progress is often slower than desired and where targeted improvements could be made: 

  • Low transparency: 43% of companies do not collect any data on which means of transport their employees prefer or what their specific mobility needs are. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to develop targeted mobility solutions and can lead to inefficient investments. 
  • Lack of mobility data: 55% of companies do not have reliable data on the distances travelled and means of transport used by their employees. This makes it difficult to calculate CO₂ emissions accurately and implement targeted emission reductions. 
  • Regulatory uncertainties: In Germany, fiscal law issues are the biggest challenge for 43% of companies when introducing new choices for mobility. A clear legal framework could help companies to implement their strategies more quickly and efficiently. 
“Mobility budgets offer employers the potential to actively shape the mobility transition. They can not only promote the use of sustainable modes of transport, but also make employers more attractive.”
Luisa Stöhr, research associate at the Institute for Mobility (IMO-HSG)

Five solution areas for a sustainable mobility transition 

The study identifies five solution areas that can support companies in successfully shaping sustainable mobility strategies: 

  1. From individually used cars to multimodality 
    The aim is to offer employees various sustainable modes of transport, such as public transport subscriptions, bicycle leasing or shared e-mobility. Companies should promote multimodal options and thus enable more flexible, efficient and environmentally friendly mobility. 
     
  2. Integration of offers into a mobility budget 
    Having a mobility budget would give employees a choice between mobility options. Companies could control the budget and conditions according to individual need. 
     
  3. Travel guidelines and change in work and meeting culture 
    Travel policies should be designed in such a way that sustainable alternatives are favoured. Digital meetings can partially replace business trips, while for unavoidable journeys, the focus should be on environmentally friendly modes of transport such as rail or electric vehicles. 
     
  4. Data as a basis for decisions 
    Data helps to optimise mobility solutions in a targeted manner. A precise survey of journeys made and means of transport used are crucial in order to identify the potential for improvement, develop customised solutions and measure the impact. 
     
  5. Design of organisational structure and processes 
    In order to successfully implement sustainable mobility solutions, they must be firmly integrated into the organisational structure. Clear communication and the involvement of all relevant stakeholders are crucial to ensure acceptance and implementation. 
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Video about the study

Key role of employers  

The study shows: Employers are key players in the mobility transition - as shapers within their own company and as role models for society and other organisations. They can establish sustainable mobility solutions in their companies and act as multipliers.  

Future Mobility Lab 

The Future Mobility Lab is a consortium for the promotion of sustainable mobility behaviour and was founded in March 2022. It is supported by the Institute for Mobility (IMO-HSG) at the University of St.Gallen (HSG) and the communications agency fischerAppelt. The aim of the consortium is to help shape the mobility transition in a scientifically sound manner with a view to economic, social and ecological aspects. 

The Future Mobility Lab comprises more than 25 members, including cities, associations and central mobility service providers in Germany and Switzerland. The members jointly implement degree courses and academic programmes thus emphasising the central importance of cooperation in shaping the mobility of the future. 


To the study


Images and video: IMO-HSG

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