I'd say very interested, on the whole. Getting a driving licence is still seen as a real rite of
passage for young people, and it's tied to independence and a sense of freedom. In many places having
a car is almost a necessity, so there's a practical incentive as well. That said, I have noticed some
change — a minority of young people in big cities are choosing not to bother, partly because of
congestion, parking costs and the environment, and partly because ride-hailing apps make it easy to
get around without a car.
They're almost like two different disciplines. In the city, the challenge is the density — traffic,
junctions, pedestrians, cyclists and aggressive, impatient drivers, so you have to be alert and
reactive. In the countryside, there's far less traffic, but the risks are different: narrow winding
roads, poor visibility at bends, animals crossing, and sometimes very fast stretches. So I'd say city
driving demands more constant attention to other people, while country driving demands better
judgment about speed and surprise hazards.
To be honest, I'd say a mixed picture, but I lean towards saying most are reasonably competent. The
majority drive safely and follow the rules. Having said that, there's a visible minority who are
impatient, tailgate, or use their phones, and those are the ones that make the roads feel more
dangerous. I also think people's standards can slip over time, so even average drivers can drift into
bad habits without noticing. So overall: competent, but with enough careless exceptions to matter.
They're growing, but they're still a minority of cars on the road. Sales are rising steadily, driven
by falling prices, government incentives and a growing awareness of the environment. However, uptake
is very uneven — electric cars are much more common in cities, where people can charge at home and
there's good infrastructure, while in rural areas they're still rare because charging points are
scarce and range anxiety is a genuine concern. So they're increasingly popular, but the transition
is far from even.
I think the biggest levers are cost and convenience. Making them cheaper, through subsidies or tax
breaks, is the most direct way to broaden the market. Beyond that, massively expanding the charging
network — especially in rural areas, on motorways and at apartment buildings — is essential, because
range anxiety is the number one worry. Pushing down battery prices and improving range would also help.
And finally, normalising them through things like green number plates, better marketing and awareness
campaigns can change the perception that they're niche or inconvenient.