The End of the World as we Know It?

No it isn't.

It's just Justin Rowlatt being mischievous.

He's written quite a piece for the BBC News site today about how cars will be done and dusted within a decade.

He tells us that the economics and planet-friendliness of electric cars will kill off the combustion engine.

And that driverless cars will make it unsafe for humans to drive cars amongst them.  So that will stop.

And that car ownership will cease due to readily available shared transit modules.

And we can expect this within ten years - about the same time it took for horses to become obsolete in New York City.

However, I don't think he is serious.

Nor do I think he wants this.

His last two sentences are:

"But seriously, I've deliberately put these arguments forcefully to prompt debate and we want to hear what you think.

You can comment below, or tweet me @BBCJustinR."

And this is the same Justin Rowlatt who was co-presenter of the ...On Four Wheels series that I happened to enjoy (and comment on) a while back.  I think he did too.

Anyway, as I type, he's achieved 2306 comments albeit mostly from the Gammons who usually comment on the BBC News Website.  Apparently, they don't like being called "Gammons" - they don't mind calling us "Libtards" and "Remoaners" but now we've got a good insult for them they get all precious.

A few good points are made - there is quite a theme about how it could work in cities but most of us don't live in cities.  Quite true - it may be OK for New York - but not New Brighton.

Also, all this electricity has to come from somewhere.  The amount needed will mean it's neither clean nor cheap.

Can you imagine the rest of the World buying in to this?  Even if you've got friends in high places (like Justin seems to have)

...I don't see China having a network of electric boxes moving people around that huge country in 2018.

 

But whatever happens, there will always be plenty of car people who wouldn't let this nightmare scenario occur.

 

Like me and Jeremy Clarkson.