Technology

Americans need to embrace public transit. We need trains that don't completely suck in both speed and schedule reliability.

We're never going to convince a lot of folks to leave their lifted F-150 or massive Suburban behind for a small car. But quality, affordable public transit that is not only efficient but saves money over owning a car would actually make a difference. We're more likely to be able to get people to just leave the F-150 in the driveway and eventually move away from it.

Much better for the environment, too, and reduces traffic / congestion, etc. I agree smaller cars would be good, but the goalpost should be getting away from the automobile.

I have a Volt, and I resent how few compact hybrid options there will be when I get a replacement. When I drive around, I literally struggle to see around the giant land boats cruising around. They hold up parking lots trying to stuff themselves into spaces, and if I get hit by one I'm much more likely to be injured. Average car size is kind of a tragedy of the commons. Everyone suffers when the cars get bigger, but the individuals with the dumb land boats suffer little of the cost.

My dream car is a Nash Metropolitan converted to an EV.

In California, America's largest state by population, our #1 selling vehicle is the Honda Civic. And driving on our roads, Civics, Corollas, Accords etc... dominate the roads. And even the biggest selling SUV the CRV gets like 30+ to the gallon.

Small cars sell in places where small cars work.

Americans don't want small cars, and honestly, I don't think its a problem.

Increase the gas tax. Set registration fees per pound of car.

We know how to do this. We also know how scared politicians are of angering anyone.

Forget small cars, we should be embracing non-motorized ways of transit. Make things human-sized again and allow us to walk and/or bike to destinations rather than having to have a motorized vehicle to get around.

Public transit is obviously a good thing to have, but I think it’s also important to have alternate forms of transit as well.

Give me a new El Camino EV with a 400 mile range and I'm in.

All my road trips are around 150 miles and there may or may not be a charger at the destination.

The article says range isn't important...if you've ever looked at a map of the US, you'll see why that's a misguided statement.