Experts are predicting a fast rise in vehicle use as restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic are eased in many countries. The consensus appears to be that people would rather sit in traffic than risk using public transport and the evidence supporting this is already beginning to grow.

With the message from both governments and employers being “return to work but avoid public transport” vehicle usage is likely to spike, with many people driving to work for the first time as driving becomes the socially distanced transportation mode of choice.

In major Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, morning traffic volume is now higher than in 2019. By contrast volume on the Beijing's metro system is said to be 53% down on normal levels.

China also saw the use of cars recover for the labour day holiday far more quickly than air travel, indicating that the trend may be towards short haul holiday breaks by car rather than flying.