For many, the car is the symbol of personal freedom. It represents the ability to go anywhere, anytime, on your own terms. But according to a vision set out by global organisations like the World Economic Forum (WEF), that freedom may be coming to an end. Imagine a future where you don’t own a car, but instead, you borrow one whenever you need it, and even then, your car isn’t really “yours.” It’s a connected, cloud-controlled device that knows more about you than you might be comfortable with.
This is the reality some tech and automotive leaders are preparing for, and it’s more than just a shift to electric vehicles (EVs). It’s about a radical transformation of car ownership, personal data, and the role of technology in our lives. So, is this the future we want? Let’s break down what’s coming and why it’s stirring up controversy.
The “Connected Computer on Wheels”
At the heart of this change is the idea that cars are becoming “connected computers on wheels.” This is more than just a catchy phrase; it reflects the increasing digitisation of vehicles. According to the CEO of Qualcomm, Cristiano Amon, cars will soon be part of a vast digital network that connects manufacturers, other vehicles, and centralised systems that can monitor and control everything from traffic flow to road safety.
Cars are already packed with technology that tracks our movements, alerts us to road conditions, and, in some cases, even watches our gaze to ensure we’re paying attention. The next step is a fully integrated system where your car will be constantly communicating with third parties. That might sound convenient, but it also raises serious concerns about surveillance and control. If every movement is tracked and every decision monitored, how much freedom do we really have on the road?
The End of Private Car Ownership?
One of the more controversial ideas being floated by the WEF and others is that private car ownership could soon become a thing of the past. In their view, cars are vastly underused—only driven about 4% of the time in countries like the UK. Why own something that sits idle 96% of the time? Instead, they suggest a move to shared mobility, where we borrow cars as needed, rather than owning them.
This shift is already happening. Car-sharing platforms like Getaround and BlueSG are gaining popularity, allowing users to pay by the hour for access to vehicles. But this isn’t just about convenience or saving money. It’s part of a broader push towards reducing demand for resources needed to make cars—like the rare metals required for EV batteries, which are extracted in highly polluting processes and often refined using coal power.
The WEF proposes a shift in mindset: from “ownership” to “usership.” Cars would be designed to serve multiple users through app-based keys and personalised profiles, tailoring the vehicle to your needs whether it’s for work or leisure. But here’s the catch: once we’ve accepted this new model, who controls the cars? And what happens when you’re no longer able to own the one thing that has long symbolised independence and mobility?
External Control and Surveillance
One of the biggest concerns with this vision of the future is the level of external control it entails. The technology being proposed includes more than just connectivity—it involves new features that allow third parties to monitor and even control your vehicle. Governments and car manufacturers are already working on systems that could include breathalysers, speed limiters, and even “kill switches” that can automatically shut down your car.
While these features are often sold as safety measures, designed to prevent accidents or reduce dangerous driving, they also represent a new level of surveillance. Your car would not only track where you go but also monitor how you behave inside it. Voice and vision trackers could watch your every move, raising concerns about privacy and the potential for misuse.
And it’s not just about being watched—it’s about who has the power to act on that information. If your car is linked to a central system, there’s always the possibility that it could be hacked, or that authorities could take control in ways that restrict your freedom.
Electric Vehicles: Not as “Green” as They Seem?
Adding to this mix is the push towards electric vehicles. Many governments are pushing for a complete ban on petrol and diesel cars by 2035, with car manufacturers like GM and Volkswagen planning to switch to all-electric fleets. EVs are hailed as the greener alternative to fossil fuel-powered cars, but there are inconvenient truths behind their production.
The minerals required for EV batteries—like lithium, cobalt, and nickel—are often mined in conditions that cause significant environmental damage. The majority of these minerals are processed in China, often using coal-fired power plants, which makes the production of EVs far less environmentally friendly than we’re led to believe. Moreover, with the demand for EVs set to skyrocket, it’s unclear whether the world has enough resources to produce the number of vehicles needed.
In response, the WEF suggests that the solution is simple: don’t buy a car at all. But is that really the answer? Or is it a convenient way to shift control of mobility from individuals to a select few corporations and governments?
A Future Without Ownership?
The prospect of a world without private car ownership challenges the way we think about mobility, freedom, and privacy. On the surface, the ideas of car-sharing and connected vehicles may seem progressive—efficient, green, and forward-thinking. But as with many modern developments, there are deeper implications at play. Who stands to benefit from these changes? And what will happen to our personal freedom when we no longer control the very vehicles that carry us?
The future of transportation may be one where we no longer own cars, but instead rely on systems controlled by corporations and governments. Whether we embrace or resist this change will depend on how much freedom we’re willing to trade for the sake of convenience.
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