By Futurist Thomas Frey
In 2025, a curious pattern began emerging in cities like Seoul, Amsterdam, and San Francisco. About 1–2% of adults under 35 had quietly achieved full independence without ever owning a car—not because they couldn’t afford one, but because they realized car ownership simply didn’t make sense anymore. Between ride-sharing, car-sharing, short-term rentals, and public transit, they discovered they could live comfortably, move freely, and save money without the burdens of maintenance, parking, or insurance.
Economically, their transportation costs were 60–75% lower than owning a personal vehicle. Psychologically, they were freer. They no longer thought about oil changes, parking tickets, or whether they should trade in for a newer model. In the language of economists, car ownership had gone from asset to liability. In the language of culture, it had gone from dream to inconvenience.
By 2040, this small fringe had become the mainstream. In major metropolitan regions, car ownership among adults had fallen to 22%—mostly hobbyists, suburban families, and older drivers nostalgic for the freedom they once associated with the open road.
Continue reading… “Growing Number of People Who’ve Never Owned a Car”
