Once upon a time, cars served as a useful tool that was subject to the will of the driver. Long occupying a place at the heart of American culture, they, in many ways, came to symbolize the country’s sense of freedom and spirit of independence.

In the past decade or so, however, cars have transformed into something else. Those traveling in sophisticated circles have come to view the long-term continuation of private car ownership as something passé like notions of freedom itself.