Two suspended solar podcars above a green city street, with people looking up at them

The End of the Private Car

and the Rise of the Podcar

Ten illustrative videos

People often ask us what Podcar City is about. So in 2026 we made a series of short videos on the consequences of a broken mobility system: one that has come down to the private car, with public transport alternatives that fall short. Then we look at what could take their place.

Choose an episode

Each one takes less than five minutes. Tap an episode to see what it covers.

Episode 1The End of the Private Car 3:12

Whatever its fuel, a car is not green. This episode sets out the 11 commandments the series uses to measure every way of moving people.

Episode 2Earth Resources and Energy 4:08

What it takes to build and run all these cars: lithium, rare earths, rubber, asphalt, water, concrete and ever more energy.

Episode 3Health and Inclusion 2:39

Driving is a daily stress, many people cannot drive at all, and roads divide neighbourhoods.

Episode 4Why Today’s Options Fall Short 4:15

Buses, trams, taxis, metros and bikes all do good work. Each one also has limits.

Episode 5A City Built for Cars 4:04

Roads and parking eat up the city. Electric or self-driving, it is still a car, and cities are starting to push back.

Episode 6AOther Suggestions 4:01

Vertiports, shuttles, shared self-driving cars, trams, buses, bikes and walking, tested against the 11 commandments.

Episode 6BThe One-Button Idea 3:37

Transit that works like an elevator: Don Fichter’s idea from the 1950s and 60s, and the real systems that grew from it.

Episode 6CSuspended Solar Podcars 2:58

Suspended, solar, low-cost systems that leave the ground free for people, parks and bikes.

Episode 7How Do We Get There? 3:46

Five groups moving together: young people, researchers, planners, industry, and cities, regions and campuses.

Episode 8The People Behind It 3:52

The team behind the series, and an invitation to join Podcar City.

Choose an episode

Ten short episodes in three parts. Tap one to play it.

Part 1What the car costs us

Part 2Why today’s options fall short

Part 3The podcar, and how we get there

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Invite a speaker

Podcar City speakers are available on all continents for a small stipend. Contact Ms Begaj through our contact form, with the topic “Speaker request”.

Recommended listening

Joni Mitchell, “Big Yellow Taxi”.

Thank you to our sponsors and partners

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Thank you for your interest!

From the people behind the series.

Christer LindströmSeries creator, 4Dialog AB

Magnus HunhammarCore team
Ron SwensonCore team
Douglas M. KamogaVisuals and editing, Podcar City East Africa
Marc SchindlerCore team

A series by Christer Lindström and 4Dialog AB, with Podcar City. Narration and visuals created with AI tools; podcar images are concept illustrations.