The concept of ‘connected cars’ is evolving rapidly, driven by policies promoting fair data access, sustainability, and smart transportation. In the EU, regulations like the Data Act and Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation (MVBER) aim to ensure independent service providers can access vehicle-generated data, preventing automakers from monopolizing it. Additionally, the EU Green Deal seeks to cut transport emissions by 90% by 2050, accelerating the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and expanding smart infrastructure. The EU AI Act and similar policies in the U.S. and China are also shaping the future of autonomous and AI-driven transportation, balancing innovation with safety and accountability.