In Gothenburg, there will be redevelopments in the city, i.a. Västlänken, to lead to the city losing 7000 parking spaces. The car is not only the big dream for many, e.g. all of us who may never be able to afford a villa but still want to be able to get to natural areas comfortably.
Of course, exhaust gases can be an environmental problem, but Gothenburg still has far better air than Oslo, which introduced congestion tax long before us.
In addition, the automotive industry is part of the primary production (most crucial manufacturing) that drives employment and growth throughout society. Namely, it leads to a need for factory workers and engineers en masse with good salaries, car mechanics, new roads, car salesmen, parking spaces, by improving communications etc.
The car industry does not have to be so environmentally destructive if we:
-forces the industry to increase the production of ever more environmentally friendly vehicles that are preferably powered by renewable, environmentally friendly energy. I believe in the hydrogen car, but maybe you could have solar-powered cars in the future?
-effectively reuses all material in the old cars that are sent to the scrapyard
-stimulates the development of more environmentally friendly and reusable materials in the vehicles
Industry and environmentalists often share the view that freedom for natural private individuals, environmental friendliness and industrialism are incompatible.
This is completely wrong. Most good things are possible if we only work towards a good goal.
Then we should combine the possibility of 1 car and 1 parking space per adult, with a more developed, individually adapted public transport system. The monthly card should include 3-4 car uses of a car pool car per month that could be used for bulk purchases, furniture purchases or when moving to a new home. The car pool spaces must be evenly spread over the city or have a drive-in and a drive-out so that it is easy to use them.
Even ancient people had railways and steam power but did not put this into production, as the slaves would then have nothing to do.
We have always been able and always will be able to create paradise on earth.
Might as well start now.