> the argument of "fewer cars make for cleaner air" is gradually losing weight.

Particles from tyre wear are a big contributor to local air pollution from cars - while they don't travel as far as CO2 to cause the larger scale problems, it's still going to be a local problem from electric cars, and since electric cars are generally heavier than equivalent petrol cars, that does mean they give off more tyre dust.

Large car thoroughfares also didn't do much for the soul of cities and neighbourhoods.