One US territory has a radical prohibition against cars of any kind, yes, that means Teslas and the EVs too. America has a reputation as the home of the car, and its citizens have made the car an integral part of everyday life. One imagines there would be a large percentage of the population that simply would not be able to live without a car. People’s lives revolve around their cars in modern-day society; however, this island off the coast of an iconically beautiful US state has banned the use of all cars in all shapes and forms. And the territory has lasted till now, even flourished, some might say.
Some people in the United States view the car with a sense of disdain
The world has become acutely aware of the harm that the automotive industry has done to the environment and climate. The 80s saw the world pushing the limits of manufacturing, and excess was the name of the game. No thought was given to the future or how the expanding automotive industry would affect the planet in a relatively short time frame.
As a result of the world accepting that we are entirely responsible for the disastrous state of the environment, the electric vehicle emerged to give the world the mobility it needed, while considering the planet by reducing emissions. Despite all this effort, some in the United States still view the car as an unnecessary luxury that serves very little purpose in their lives.
There are some places in the United States where the car is not welcome
The sheer size and distances between major population centers in the world have led to the car becoming essential for moving goods and people around the world. However, there are some places in the United States that have existed for more than a century without cars. They have even gone so far as to ban cars to keep the natural beauty pristine.
For generations, this island off the coast of Maine has been the go-to destination for a range of celebrated American artists who come to the island to capture its astonishing beauty in various mediums. Since the 1850s, this island has been drawing in some truly great artists and photographers, and several have even set up permanent studios there.
Monhegan Island sits 11 miles off Maine’s coast and is celebrated as one of the last places in the US where cars are banned; they have never even paved the roads. The island can be reached only via ferry; the two-mile-long and less than a mile-wide territory is dotted with a handful of summer-only restaurants, one or two bed and breakfasts, and assorted rental homes.
As some states in the US grapple with the ever-changing legislative requirements, Monhegan Island has been the home of the car-free tourist for generations now. The lobster fisheries and seasonal restaurants serve as the perfect backdrop for painting or photography. Some of the more noteworthy artists who have painted the island include:
- Robert Henri
- George Bellows
- Alice A. Swett
- Maud Briggs Knowlton
- Edward Hopper
- Rockwell Kent
Monhegan Island continues to thrive without the car or electric vehicle
The United States is no stranger to banning aspects of the driving experience in order to make traveling safer for us all. But Monhegan Island serves as a constant reminder that there are places in the United States where the car is simply not needed. The fact that the island has managed to stay so beautiful and pristine for a century proves that the caretakers and a few permanent residents have made the right decision to ban all forms of cars, even Tesla. Can the world learn some lessons from this unique destination in the United States and limit our everyday use of cars?
