Technology

I used to think hybrids must be more complex because they're gas + EV. And more complex usually means less reliable.

I just learned very recently that that's not the case — for Toyota, anyway. Their hybrids are actually generally considered more reliable than their traditional gas cars, these days.

They deleted the starter and alternator. And the transmission, an e-CVT (which is nothing like the shitty CVTs that many people are familiar with), is dead simple and more reliable than even a manual transmission.

Also, I find brake pedal very interesting, because it actually feels completely normal and UNinteresting.

My only experience with regenerative breaking before was when I drove someone's Tesla. Letting my foot off the "gas" pedal felt like braking, and the brake pedal was only needed for hard, emergency braking.

In Toyota hybrids, the gas and brake pedals feel absolutely normal and familiar, despite most of the braking actually being regenerative 🤯.

There's probably more cool engineering that I have yet to discover. I just bought my Toyota like 2 weeks ago 🙂

(Note: Many manufacturers make hybrids differently, and there are plenty of shitty ones. Also, plug-in hybrids are pretty different, and generally less reliable.)

and they cant hear through all that noise and pollution.

have prioritized large trucks and SUVs because they get better profit margins

And we have tariffs to thank for that, in no small part.

Well, you don't exactly get huge govemrnent bail outs by being competent. All us car manufacturers have in one way or another been propped up by the government. And before I see anybody comment about Ford not getting a bail out, please remember what vehicles are at every police station, fish and game, and other assorted government entities. Us car manufacturers would not exist without the governments safety net to save them from their gross incompetence.

they already are, its FAST rail trains we need.

The main reason public transit is what it is in Europe is because of how WW2 ravaged the continent. Maybe WW3 will do the same.

Hybrids use 60% less fuel. But America also needs limits on sizes of vehicles.

I know you have good intentions but I would say the US needs drop in hybrid motors to convert older vehicles. I can't afford a new car for the next 10-20 years even if I sold both of my cars.

I'd rather have a multi-fuel hybrid for emergencies; something that can run petrol, oil, diesel, ethanol, propane, kerosene, and wood gas. There are times where something like that is needed. Like powering a fridge and AC when a disaster takes out the power grid. I can tell you it wasn't fun not having power for two weeks. I really liked the EV car idea of powering your house but what happens after you drain the battery? And look I live in a place that's dumb enough when the power goes out, there's a mandatory shutoff box for your solar panels in these events.

Also a functioning public transport system, but that's a little harder to do than sell a few cars.

"Sorry, best I can do is a 100% tariff on cheap, performant Chinese EVs" – Biden

Theres a hybrid here in China, Geely Emgrand, that gets 104 mpg hwy and costs 13K USD.

they are saying they were lazy and complacent.

Cheap junk?? American cars are very expensive junk.

Say what you want about GM, they didn't have to put the same V8 into pretty much everything, and now that they don't, how are teenagers going to get their hands on a 4L V8 so detuned it makes the same power as an engine 1/3 the size for like $4000 that was only ever driven by grandma?

or unintentionally do the right thing, by doing the wrong thing.

"Americans can always be trusted to do the right thing once all other possibilities have been exhausted."

- not Winston Churchill, and remains to be seen if it holds true