If we are to believe Jeremy Clarkson, dark times are ahead for petrolheads and car enthusiasts around the world, as continued advances in battery technology and self-driving car technology will fundamentally change the way we all use cars.
In his acceptance speech for being named Motoring Personality of the Year at the inaugural Motor Awards, The Grand Tour host warned audience members of a future where new technologies would eventually make car ownership redundant.
“It isn’t so much which car you should buy, as it used to be. Now it’s becoming much more about how will we actually get about,” Clarkson said. “It’s becoming the interesting debate in the motoring world. Will we actually own cars at all?”
“It’s a terrifying prospect for all of us, but it’s one that may well be coming,” he added.
After the Motor Awards wrapped up, Clarkson elaborated on his comments, citing how “you only have to talk to anyone under the age of 25 to realise the passion we have [for cars] is dying out,” and to “enjoy it while it lasts” before human-driven cars are relegated to the history books.
Of course, this isn’t the first time Clarkson has expressed concerns about internal combustion supercars going the way of the dinosaur. Back in 2009 in an emotionally charged Top Gear review of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage, he lamented the possibility that “cars like this will soon be consigned to the history books”.
Do you think Clarkson has a right to be worried? Let us know in the comments below.
2 comments
and world will cool the love of many.
Cue Eno’s ” an ending” again