Smart Cities & Buildings

Driverless and electric, or car-free? The cities cutting out cars, and why

Vanessa Bates: Some cities are phasing out gas-powered cars altogether, limiting use of hybrid and electric cars. She says cutting out cars has the obvious benefit of reducing pollution and reducing pollution. Bates: Cutting out cars is a good thing, but it would be messy enough to add millions more cars to cities that don't have infrastructure. The Netherlands will only allow emissions-free vehicles by 2030, and is pumping €345 million into its bicycle infrastructure, she says. Berlin is redesigning its suburbs, which people primarily reach by driving, into walkable communities linked to public transit, she writes Bayer: "It's the brighter future one that forgoes cars in favor of more sustainable and healthy modes of transportation" She asks: What might Henry Ford think if he saw what is become of his invention? Bayers: "Do you think it's the better way to get around the world's future is the best way to reduce pollution.