If you were to ask someone why they own a car, the answer might seem obvious: “I need to get around.” But beneath that practical reply lies a deeper story—one about identity, freedom, status, and the silent pressures of culture.
In their chapter “Economic and Psychological Determinants of Car Ownership and Use,” Erling Røed Larsen and Trond Blindheim explore what really drives people to buy, keep, and use cars. Their answer is both simple and profound: it’s not just about transport—it’s about who we are, how we feel, and what we think the world expects from us.
Understanding the true drivers of car ownership can help cities design better transportation policies, reduce emissions, and improve quality of life. But it also gives us a mirror—a chance to look at how our choices reflect our deeper desires.
The Economic Foundation: Cost, Need, and Convenience
Yes, economics plays a major role. People are more likely to own a car when:
- Public transport is limited or unreliable.
- Work, school, or shops are far from home.
- The cost of car ownership (fuel, maintenance, insurance) is manageable relative to income.
For rural residents or those with long commutes, a car might feel essential. In these cases, ownership is a practical response to structural limitations.
But what about urban dwellers with access to buses, bikes, and trains? Why do so many still choose to own—and heavily use—private cars?
Here’s where the story shifts from logic to psychology.
The Car as an Extension of the Self
Cars are not just vehicles. They are symbols—of freedom, success, control, and adulthood.
For many, the first car marks a rite of passage. It’s not just about moving through space; it’s about gaining autonomy. The open road becomes a metaphor for possibility. And the make, model, and condition of a car become part of how people present themselves to the world.
Larsen and Blindheim point out that this symbolic value often overrides practical concerns. People may choose cars that are too large, expensive, or inefficient—not because they need them, but because of what they represent. A luxury SUV in a crowded city might be irrational economically, but emotionally, it says something about status, strength, or family values.
Identity, Emotion, and Habit
Beyond symbols, car use becomes habitual and emotionally charged. Driving offers comfort, privacy, predictability. It’s a space of music, solitude, or shared moments. These feelings create powerful psychological ties that resist change—even when more sustainable or economical options are available.
Larsen and Blindheim note that people also use cars to manage emotional states: escaping, decompressing, or feeling in control. This makes car use more than a transportation choice—it becomes part of someone’s emotional regulation.
And once established, driving becomes a habit. People drive even short distances, even when walking or biking would be quicker. Breaking that habit requires more than rational argument—it demands emotional and contextual redesign.
The Social and Cultural Frame
What makes car ownership not just personal, but social?
Social norms, peer expectations, and cultural narratives all play a role. In car-centric societies, not owning a car can carry social stigma. It may be associated with poverty, failure, or dependence. Conversely, owning a new or high-end vehicle often signals success, adulthood, or reliability.
Marketing fuels these narratives. Car ads rarely highlight fuel efficiency or affordability alone—they sell adventure, status, safety, and even romance.
This cultural framing makes car ownership not just a utility, but a social obligation.
Challenges and Opportunities for Change
Knowing all this, how can we support more sustainable choices?
Larsen and Blindheim suggest that shifting car ownership patterns requires systemic change:
- Urban design must make alternatives genuinely attractive—safe bike lanes, fast and clean public transport, walkable cities.
- Policy tools (like congestion charges, parking limits, and fuel taxes) can nudge behavior, but must be paired with positive incentives (subsidies for e-bikes, improved transit).
- Cultural change is vital: we need new narratives of success and independence that don’t rely on cars.
And on the individual level, people must be supported in reflecting on their habits, values, and needs—without shame or guilt, but with encouragement and options.
Final Reflection: The Road Ahead
Car ownership is not just about getting from A to B. It’s about who we are, how we see ourselves, and how we move through the world—physically and psychologically.
Erling Røed Larsen and Trond Blindheim remind us that changing transportation patterns is not just about offering more buses or bike racks. It’s about changing hearts and minds. It’s about designing systems that align with people’s deep motivations and emotional realities, not just their rational calculations.
So the next time you step into a car, pause for a moment. Ask yourself: What does this journey mean to me? Is it habit, need, desire, or something deeper? Because in understanding why we drive, we open the door to a more thoughtful—and perhaps more sustainable—way of living.