WHO NEEDS TO OWN CARS IN THE AGE OF MOBILITY? AUTOLINE AFTER HOURS 645

EV Channels Review

This Autoline After Hours episode features mobility designer and author Dan Sturges, discussing his book 'Near to Far,' which advocates for a two-tiered transportation system. Sturges argues that the current focus on large, electric vehicles, while carbon-free, fails to address congestion or cost-effectiveness. He proposes a future with smaller, local-use vehicles ('near cars') for short trips and larger vehicles ('far cars') for longer distances, akin to a 'dinghy' and 'yacht' analogy. The discussion highlights the challenges of shifting consumer mentality away from large, multi-purpose vehicles, the economic drivers for smaller, more efficient transport, and the need for new infrastructure and business models, potentially led by startups or mobility service providers rather than traditional automakers. The panel also touches on the role of autonomous vehicles and the necessity of 'mission-specific' vehicle design.