Keys and drivers are on their way out

Petrol engines, car keys and even drivers could become a thing of the past according to motoring experts.

The team at LeaseCar.uk have looked into the common car features and technology which could be obsolete over the coming decades.

Some are already on their way out, like CD players and maps, thanks to the arrival of smartphones which can link to your car and do everything.

Others are likely to take a few more years including the introduction of driverless cars and vehicles being electric rather than petrol.

A spokesperson for LeaseCar.uk said: “Standard features in our cars and the technology used is changing all the time and it’s surprising how fast that pace of change is.

“A few years ago, we’d never have expected plans to phase out vehicles running on petrol and who’d have expected driverless cars to become an option?

“There are some I’m sure we’ll all miss like the jangle of our car keys and manual handbrakes and gears but they’re all changes that will make the driving experience more enjoyable.”

Here is LeaseCar guide of soon to be obsolete car features.

Keys

Car keys could be obsolete in years to come. Instead we could all be using digital car keys.  These are likely to work through our smartphones.

Maps

Who needs a book of maps when you have SatNav built into your car and maps on your smartphone? All you need to do is input your destination and you’re off.

CD players

The car CD player is becoming a thing of the past. With streaming services and smartphone Bluetooth connection, the humble CD can’t stand up to the competition.

Wing Mirrors

Wing mirrors could be replaced by cameras in the future. They look set to be replaced by rear facing video cameras which will stream footage onto a screen on the vehicle’s dashboard. These are thought to be more fuel efficient and safer.

Manual handbrake

Manual handbrakes look destined to become a thing of the past. Just a third of new cars are fitted with them. Instead cars have electronic handbrakes which are operated by a small push button or switch.

Spare tyre

Car manufacturers are already starting to replace spare tyres with a puncture repair kit so expect to see these consigned to history in years to come. You no longer have to carry a spare in your car either.

Petrol engines

Expect to see more electric cars on the road in the next ten years. The government has set a deadline of 2040 to ban fossil fuel producing engines and although the transition is likely to be slow, more people are expected to opt for electric over petrol.

Gear sticks

As more people buy automatics, the manual gear is likely to phase out. Automatics top them for a number of reasons including reliability and performance.

Drivers

Driverless cars are on the cards and by 2030 we could all be opting for this mode of transport. There will be different levels of driverless cars and you will still need your hands on the steering wheel to intervene if needed.