After the Car

This book describes the background of global warming and explains that the economic losses that may result from it would be far greater than the cost of taking action to prevent it. The contribution of car transport to climatic change is significant, and alternatives to the car as a transport system are considered in relation to the peaking of oil supply, increased digitisation of most aspects of economic and social life, and massive global population increase. The development of the car, and attitudes to its use, are described. The effects of the car in producing a system that predominates over other transport systems and their technologies is considered. The creation of a new system including new fuels, new lightweight materials, smart vehicles, communication between vehicles and personal rapid transit is discussed. Other topics discussed include deprivatising the car, carclubs, bicycle-sharing, use of the internet to obtain parking or arrange lift sharing, new transport policies, road pricing, pay-as-you-drive insurance, new living practices, e-shopping and reducing energy use.