Cars ...for personal use

Motor vehicles have been in our lives for about 150 years and over that time we have come to take them for granted.

We have become so accustomed to automobiles that, in many developed countries, a large number of people believe that they should own one, if not two. In the US, over 90% of households have access to a car.

Over the last 100 years, cars have taken on another function other than being just for transportation. Cars have become, for many people a status symbol (= a possession that is taken to indicate a person's wealth or high social or professional status).

But the days of owning our own cars may be coming to an end. The combination of technology, environmental concerns and convenience, may make the private car a thing of the past.

Many scientists and technicians are predicting that in 25 years, private car ownership will be replaced with fleets (fleet (n) = a number of vehicles operating together or under the same ownership) of self-driving electric vehicles organised into an Uber-style (taxi) network that will be able to offer such cheap and convenient transport that people will very quickly decide they don't need a car for personal use any more.

Write about the following topic: The use of personal cars has increased more than ever before but this use of privately owned cars causes many problems. We should discourage people from owning and using private cars.

To what extent to you agree? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge. Write at least 250 words. Write your essay in the answer sheet below.