It’s hard to believe that cars have only been around for a century or so and yet, they are so ingrained into the way we live our lives and organise our time. Cars are certainly an integral part of the picture of modern day life.
The history of cars
Since their inception, the role that cars play has changed massively. When they were first invented, they were the playthings of only the richest, used as much for fun jaunts and showing off to friends as dependable means of transportation. Over time, as the costs of production lowered and safety standards began to rise; more and more people were able to purchase a vehicle of their own.
Car ownership has changed consistently since we began to share our lives with our four-wheeled friends. As cars have become more and more popular, the number of cars on the road has also risen exponentially. By the 90s, cars were commonplace and we all loved them… but then, the relationship began to sour.
The problematic truths of car usage
As time passed, we become more and more aware of the advantages cars offer to us— but also the disadvantages.
Arguably the biggest disadvantage is the state of modern roads. Modern roads are busy; overwhelmingly, crushingly busy in fact, and you can easily spend half an hour trying to move a mile during the rush hour. Modern roads are also dangerous, with the threats being particularly notable from larger vehicles such as trucks and lorries. When cars tangle with these large freight vehicles, the results can be extreme, and the incident can require the help of the likes of http://www.aitkenlaw.com/truck-accidents/ to unpick.
It’s not just trucks and lorries that are dangerous either. As the stats on http://fortune.com/ show, roads are becoming more dangerous, not less. Distracted driving — driving while texting, for example — is being blamed for part of the increase in accidents.
It’s not just safety that has soured the public perception of cars either. By far, the biggest hit to the car’s reputation came in the wake of the VW emissions scandal; when emissions were falsely declared as safe when they were actually extremely polluting. As more people become aware of the impact that driving cars has on the environment and see that the big companies don’t seem particularly committed to cleaning up their act, it’s natural to wonder… what is the future of car ownership?
Ask Jay Leno
Realistically, the answer to this question may have come from an unusual source: notable car lover, Jay Leno. Leno believes that combustion engine vehicles will one day follow a similar route to horses. Horses were once upon a time, the main mode of transportation; but in the 21st century, they’re used for leisure and enjoyment while we rely on other transport methods to get around. Leno believes combustion vehicles will follow the same pattern and the signs indicate that he might be right.
A future in which we still enjoy the roar of a combustion engine for fun but rely on hybrids and electric vehicles for actual transport is indeed a tantalising one that would help to solve many environmental concerns; but without denting the pleasure of driving for fans of conventional-engine cars. We can consider that a best of both worlds scenario, and one that could signify the future of car ownership.
