The answer is no. I know it’s shocking, but besides the convenience of a car there is no need for them. Cars are expensive and just the production of them is bad for the environment. They, and most vehicles, require gasoline as fuel and the burning of this fuel increases the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere which can lead to Global Warming. Of course, there is the option of a solar car but even then the production will most likely require the burning of fossil fuels. Therefore, I propose the solution to use public transportation or bicycles as a way commuting from place to place. The reduced amount of vehicles in our world automatically helps the environment. Also, cars frequently malfunction and need gas to function which requires you to spend more money while a ride on a Metro bus in Houston, Tx is a maximum of only 4.50 dollars. Buses are also much more hassle-free. When using public transportation, you do not have to deal with parking, tickets, other drivers, etc. This is also a great way to lower your carbon footprint.
   
Biking is also a great way to lower your ca rbon footprint and induce a healthier lifestyle. When biking to work, school, etc. you are doing the Earth a great service. By eliminating the use of one more car there are less fossil fuels being burned. You are also helping your body when you bike. Biking has shown to lower the risk of heart disease, reduce stress, lowers chances of obesity and diabetes, and more.

Sources:
http://www.ridemetro.org/Pages/Fares.aspx
http://www.energysavingsecrets.co.uk/pu … ebate.html
http://www.energysavingsecrets.co.uk/Cycling.html

In my opinion, personal cars are a necessity for most people. Many people have very long commutes to work or school on roads where riding a bicycle is simply impossible (not to mention slow) and a bus (the primary mode of public transportation) cannot take one along the route one needs. For example, I, personally, have a 30+ mile commute to class, much of which is through heavy metro traffic. It is not an option for me to take a bus or ride a bike. Plus, it may simply be less safe to bike or take public transportation. Additionally, when it comes to trips over long distances, cars are generally more efficient than the alternative of airplanes when it is multiple people traveling in a group. The average CO2 emissions per passenger on an airplane is about 0.068 kg per km. If four people travel, say, 2000 km by plane, they will collectively emit approximately 544 kg of CO2 emissions. If those same four people travel that same 2000 km by car, they will collectively emit approximately (at a rate of 9.4 liters per 100 km) 188 kg of CO2 emissions. In this case, the personal car  is a more efficient mode of travel. I think that the real issue is the fuel source for cars. Right now, companies such as Tesla are producing and developing cars operating totally on electricity. I think that these cars are the future. If everyone who has a non-electric car switched to an electric car, US CO2 emissions would be reduced significantly, as the average passenger vehicle in the US emits 4.7 metric tons of carbon annually being driven, whereas electric cars emit no direct carbon emissions from driving. Of course, it is not likely that every American can switch to an electric car within the next few years. However, any switches to electric cars are a step in the right direction.
Sources:
http://blueskymodel.org/air-mile
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/110 … -emissions
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/fi … 14040a.pdf

I also believe that personal cars are a necessity for people. A number of different people do not live close enough to where they work to be able to not have a car. However I do believe people should not drive to such short distances such as a McDonald's that is less than a mile from home.