Plug-in hybrid would be sweet.

Yup. Not sure what their experiences are, but that’s how it seems.

Agreed. And also have a grown-up conversations about those in society who need help. Letting them fend for themselves doesn’t seem to be working.

San Francisco resident here. Our family walks, bikes, ebikes, takes MUNI, and (gasp) drives to do the life thing here, compounded by kids’ activities, appointments, getting sick, etc.

So much this.

So this or a Grand Highlander?

I’ll bite. Where the heck is the Gladiator 4xe PHEV?

C’mon Ford. Bring out a strong plug-in hybrid F-150. You’ll need to to comply with the new CARB rules that kick in for model year 2026.

Try parallel parking on a major east-west or north-south artery in San Francisco. People don’t pay attention, no matter what you do as a driver to try to warn them ahead of time.

Dunno. Our five-year-old loves repeatedly pushing it to hear the “walk” come out of the speaker over-and-over. Then you push it enough times and it suddenly screams “WAIT TO WALK.”

A major Japanese automaker’s PR firm also did a big push recently on how regular hybrids are better and then sprinkled that opinion through the industry.

Expect strong PHEVs starting in model year 2026. What’s a strong PHEV? One with a 50 mile range and a big electric motor such that the battery powers the car in nearly any “punch it!” situation.

Just like the SFMTA’s claims, this would be much more accurate and useful if it was split into those caused by the AVs and those caused by humans involving AVs.

Great overview. Thank you.

2nd Gear: The People Don’t Want Autonomous Cars

Thank you for writing this.

Except now the rear windows roll down plus there are rear seat vents. I’m looking at you, 1981 Chrysler Aires K station wagon. Sat six; the three in back nearly suffocated.

Have had both a Bolt and an i3 REx, I agree. One caveat: if you use the four doors often, the Bolt is probably more convenient. The Bolt is also more stable at higher speeds; the i3 was more twitchy (although less so than a Jeep CJ). Everything else? Advantage i3.

Now that’s funny.

The 2024 Volvo EX30 has entered the chat.