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If current vehicle sales are an indicator, the future is still a lot of trucks and SUVs. Most Americans seem more concerned with comfort, lots of space, and the

If current vehicle sales are an indicator, the future is still a lot of trucks and SUVs. Most Americans seem more concerned with comfort, lots of space, and the ability to survive a collision with another vehicle over changing society. Maybe it looks different in the Silicon Valley bubble, but outside of that it’s trucks, SUVs and crossovers.

dpflan 8y ago
That’s a good point. I would like to see those numbers myself, seems useful to understand the different bubbles that exist. What do you think of European nations imposing deadlines for the final sales of fossil-fueled automobiles?
- Pharmakon 8y ago
  I think it’s nice in theory, but the dates proposed are beyond the likely political careers of the people proposing them which makes me suspicious. It would also be very easy to keep pushing back the deadline. It’s the kind of policy which costs nothing today, and racks up feel-good points for more than a decade without actually making a plan or doing anything like investing in that future.
therealdrag0 8y ago
Ya I feel guilty of this myself. I think PHEV are a great idea, but I want an SUV for backcountry hiking/camping, and recently I've been driving across state to visit family and the comfort difference between my sedan and my sister's and gf's SUVs is enormous. There are a couple hybrid options, but the SUV MPG are so underwhelming (e.g. ionic 57/59; rav4 hybrid 33/30). OTOH an increase of 10mpg from non-hybrid to hybrid rav4 is pretty decent.
- ip26 8y ago
  You want an SUV ala Suburban, or Crossover ala RAV4? Supposedly Subaru will be bringing a plug in hybrid Crosstrek to market next year. If I wasn't too tall, only fitting in an Outback, that would be quite compelling IMO.
  - therealdrag0 8y ago
    Cool. I'll keep that in mind. I saw the existing hybrid crosstek got mixed reviews; I think partially cuz it only got 3mpg more than the non-hybrid.
    - ip26 8y ago
      Yes, the existing one is underwhelming. But a plug in would take me anywhere in town on electric only, so imo it's a big difference.
- BLKNSLVR 8y ago
  How do the figures pan out for hiring a car for the infrequent requirements? Purchase a vehicle that solves (100-X)% of your needs. Hire to cover the remaining X% Would this end up cheaper than purchasing a vehicle that solves 100% of your needs? It's probably not long before I'm going to need to run these numbers for myself, but everyone's going to have a different set of requirements and percentage use-cases.
  - therealdrag0 8y ago
    Good point. This has crossed my mind but I haven't run the numbers yet. But I think renting a SUV is like $50+ a day.

dpflan 8y ago

That’s a good point. I would like to see those numbers myself, seems useful to understand the different bubbles that exist. What do you think of European nations imposing deadlines for the final sales of fossil-fueled automobiles?

Pharmakon 8y ago
I think it’s nice in theory, but the dates proposed are beyond the likely political careers of the people proposing them which makes me suspicious. It would also be very easy to keep pushing back the deadline. It’s the kind of policy which costs nothing today, and racks up feel-good points for more than a decade without actually making a plan or doing anything like investing in that future.

therealdrag0 8y ago

Ya I feel guilty of this myself. I think PHEV are a great idea, but I want an SUV for backcountry hiking/camping, and recently I've been driving across state to visit family and the comfort difference between my sedan and my sister's and gf's SUVs is enormous. There are a couple hybrid options, but the SUV MPG are so underwhelming (e.g. ionic 57/59; rav4 hybrid 33/30). OTOH an increase of 10mpg from non-hybrid to hybrid rav4 is pretty decent.

ip26 8y ago
You want an SUV ala Suburban, or Crossover ala RAV4? Supposedly Subaru will be bringing a plug in hybrid Crosstrek to market next year. If I wasn't too tall, only fitting in an Outback, that would be quite compelling IMO.
- therealdrag0 8y ago
  Cool. I'll keep that in mind. I saw the existing hybrid crosstek got mixed reviews; I think partially cuz it only got 3mpg more than the non-hybrid.
  - ip26 8y ago
    Yes, the existing one is underwhelming. But a plug in would take me anywhere in town on electric only, so imo it's a big difference.
BLKNSLVR 8y ago
How do the figures pan out for hiring a car for the infrequent requirements? Purchase a vehicle that solves (100-X)% of your needs. Hire to cover the remaining X% Would this end up cheaper than purchasing a vehicle that solves 100% of your needs? It's probably not long before I'm going to need to run these numbers for myself, but everyone's going to have a different set of requirements and percentage use-cases.
- therealdrag0 8y ago
  Good point. This has crossed my mind but I haven't run the numbers yet. But I think renting a SUV is like $50+ a day.