Combustion forever!
Meh. Time and a place for everything. I hate the ICE Vs BEV debate because itâs always posted as one or the other, with no detail on vehicle type, driving environment or type of driving (delivery, commute, leisure etc).
I live in greater London and there are quite a lot of hybrids and BEVs on the roads. In town centers and central London, on a day with cool, still weather, the traffic fumes (from some of the ICE vehicles) are revolting if youâre a pedestrian or cyclist.
I got my GT86 because I love the âold schoolâ RWD drivetrain, naturally aspirated revvy engine, manual gearbox type stuff, but I donât use it for city driving as I donât commute.
If I needed a commuter vehicle or did more city miles, Iâd absolutely go with a second hand BEV for lower maintenance and fuel costs.
It would likely mean my annual to 2-yearly rural Europe road trips would be less feasible, but fuel savings over the year would pay for a pretty nice rental car for a week.
I donât really subscribe to the battery pack longevity problems, I donât anticipate keeping the car forever, newer and better vehicles are always being developed- same as tech, generally I donât see same level of scare mongering about batteries going bad for example in laptops, because youâll replace the thing in 3-5 years anyway.
I spent 2 years in Norway, insanely high BEV ownership levels due to high fuel costs and cheap electricity (and various other tax benefits). Iâd see 2 or 3 a week towing a trailer or caravan, which must be ruinous for the range 
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Renting a larger vehicle when they need us there while owning something smaller for the daily driving makes the most sense to me. My GF bought a huge car for the driving trips she takes with her family and their dogs, itâs so big it took a good day to clean out and reorganize they garage to be able to fit it in the garage. She doesnât need something that big most of the time, like when she drives a mile to go to th gym to exercise instead of chosing which sidewalk to use to get there.
Bring back some iteration of the Honda CRX and Iâd be all over it. Some people were getting close to 50mpg highways, and 35 cities. I imagine that a hybrid could extend that mileage by another 20% or soâŚa weird looking sporty box wedge, whatâs not to like?
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One of my friends used to have a CRX that he had a small turbo installed. Thing was a rocket! Handled so well too. Fun little car I havenât thought of in 25 years. Thanks for mentioning it. He had a CRX and a Del Sol as well.
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Said concept lasted all of 5 years before cancellation.
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YeahâŚi remember that one. I wouldnât consider that a worthy hybrid successor to the CRX, as with most of the market. Then again, I like my boxy cars, and if I could afford one, would totally be driving a Toyota Century.
As far as the CRX goes, if they could make it a lower cost alternative to the rally Corolla, I think it would work out.
This. I enjoy the WRX. But I want the next daily driver to be electric.
I canât imagine that ICE vehicles for personal use will be going away in our lifetimes (at least in North America), aspirational mandates or no. Neither the supply capacity nor the demand exists, and there are roles they cannot adequately serve.
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All I can say is: