A Costly Habit
Owning a car in Australia is costly between rego, insurance, fuel, and maintenance, it can feel like a never-ending cash grab, but what if all that was a thing of the past? Uber’s bold new plan to roll out self-driving cars could make car ownership a thing of the past. After testing autonomous Ubers in Austin, Texas, it’s clear that the ride-sharing giant is pushing to change the way Aussies think about transport.
More Than Just a Ride
Uber’s vision isn’t just about getting rid of private cars. The goal is to make “mobility as a service” a better solution than owning your own car. Imagine using an app to rent a scooter, get a self-driving car, or even have an autonomous robot deliver your food. It’s happening now in places like Austin, where you can get a driverless ride in a Waymo-developed Jaguar I-Pace EV or have your Uber Eats order delivered by a robot.
A New Era for Transport
While Aussies are still attached to their cars, younger generations are less keen on buying one. With the rising costs of car ownership, Uber’s research shows 95% of the 15.1 million private cars in Australia sit idle most of the time. Instead of buying a car, more people are starting to see the appeal of convenient, on-demand transport.
The Road Ahead
Though we’re still a decade away from fully driverless cars on Australian roads, technology is moving fast. The future of transport could be one where you don’t need to own a car at all. And maybe, just maybe, that could mean less stress, less traffic, and more cash in your pocket.
