July 28th, 2023 – According to reports from "The Guardian," the UK has recently announced plans to ban the sale of fuel-powered vehicles by 2040. This decision raises a fascinating question: what will the future of cars look like? Will they become exclusive luxury items or remain a common public service?
When the sale of gasoline and diesel vehicles is officially halted in 2040, how will our relationship with cars evolve? Will we still own personal vehicles, or will shared autonomous fleets dominate the roads? Will the future be one where everyone lives in a world of spotless, self-driving cabins?
The future of automobiles remains uncertain, but many experts believe that the next few decades will bring radical changes. Cars are likely to become fully autonomous, drastically reducing the risk of accidents. Battery-powered engines will replace traditional combustion engines, and the interiors of cars may transform into something entirely unrecognizable.
Two potential paths stand out as the most probable developments for cars by 2040. On one hand, the traditional model of car ownership could persist. Currently, the UK has over 34.4 million cars on its roads, with sales reaching 2.69 million units in 2016 alone. The automotive industry contributes £77.5 billion annually to the UK economy, clearly showing that Britons still have a deep affection for their vehicles.
Car manufacturers worldwide are eager to maintain the status quo of individual ownership. Under this scenario, cars parked at home might serve dual purposes, doubling as personal spaces and autonomous vehicles. Once full automation becomes a reality, the traditional layout of cars may no longer be necessary—people might not even need to face forward while traveling.
**Cars as Luxury**
Mike Ramsey, research director at Gartner, predicts that "by 2040, the interior of cars will be extremely luxurious." Privately owned cars may become increasingly extravagant, serving primarily for basic commutes. Most people will either purchase used cars or rely on various ride-sharing services.
"The most luxurious models will likely feature face-to-face seating arrangements and advanced heads-up displays," Ramsey explained. At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in 2015, Mercedes showcased its F 015 Luxury in Motion concept car. This vehicle boasts column-less doors and seats designed for face-to-face interactions. Additionally, the doors are embedded with screens, offering a futuristic experience. Other companies are exploring similar cabin designs, transforming car interiors into mobile offices or lounges rather than mere driving machines.
A study by driving recorder manufacturer Ingenie suggests that the primary difference between today’s cars and those of 2045 will lie in the integration of existing technologies into automotive design. In the future, you won’t need physical keys to unlock your car. Instead, biometric systems such as fingerprint sensors or iris scanners will identify you upon entry. Touchscreens and gesture controls will replace traditional windows, and cars will not only offer autonomous driving but also become intelligent companions. Configured computers will respond instantly to voice commands.
"Multimedia centers will become more interactive, equipped with far more powerful virtual assistants than what we have today," Ramsey continued. "Voice-controlled interfaces will eventually replace most manual controls, rendering traditional buttons and knobs obsolete."
Once inside the car, simply instruct it about your destination, and it will communicate with the surrounding infrastructure to determine the optimal route for you and other commuters. Then, you can relax and enjoy the journey, letting the car safely deliver you to your destination.
Upon arrival, the car will head to the nearest charging station to replenish its battery, waiting patiently for your next command. Besides taking you home, the car could also serve as a versatile mode of transportation, picking you up and dropping you off wherever you need to go—be it a cinema, gym, or restaurant.
**Cars as Public Services**
On the flip side, another plausible path for 2040 cars is their transformation into public utilities. Once vehicles achieve full autonomy, there’s little reason why they wouldn’t serve as communal resources. Car clubs like ZipCar already offer non-ownership models, while ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft provide on-demand taxi services. Why wouldn’t this trend extend further?
When driving becomes automated, it’s easy to envision a future where shared autonomous vehicles replace personal car ownership. These vehicles could resemble mass transit systems—efficient, compact, and practical.
"Shared-use cars may become increasingly standardized, functioning more like public transport," Ramsey noted. "They’ll be faster, cheaper, and optimized for passenger efficiency."
Summoning one of these vehicles would be as simple as hailing a cab. Once you’re dropped off, the car would either pick up another passenger or return to the nearest charging station. In such a system, the utilization rate of cars could rise to 90%, significantly reducing congestion and the number of vehicles on the road.
For this reason, companies like Uber and Lyft are investing heavily in autonomous vehicle technology. Meanwhile, numerous UK projects focused on driverless cars aim to create services that mimic public transportation.
By 2040, both models—or perhaps a hybrid of the two—could coexist. At some point, human-driven cars may be phased out altogether, relegated to recreational purposes. Driving will likely become an outdated concept, viewed as archaic compared to the seamless efficiency of autonomous systems.
One certainty remains: the 2040 car will run on electric power. This shift means vehicles will require larger batteries, operate more quietly, and feature ubiquitous charging stations. The transition promises cleaner air, smarter cities, and a revolution in personal mobility.
As we approach 2040, the possibilities for cars seem endless. Whether they evolve into exclusive luxuries or accessible public services, one thing is clear: the future of transportation will be shaped by innovation, sustainability, and imagination.
(Translated by Lebang)
Yixing Guangming Special Ceramics Co.,Ltd , https://www.yxgmtc.com