Author | Lightnews

Reposted by Hybridiot

Peter Gaston @thepetergaston.bsky.social · 1d

My new Lanekeep Letter is live! Debut issue: are any PHEVs good?

Lanekeep @lanekeep.com · 1d

Plot twist: Your “eco-friendly” plug-in hybrid could be producing as much as 5x the advertised emissions and costing you $530/year in wasted gas.

A major reason: most automakers gave their PHEVs weak electric motors.

We break down who got it right: letter.lanekeep.com/are-you-stro...

Are You Strong Enough? One Simple Test For Plug-In Hybrid Life

Remember life before Apple Pay? (I see you, too, Android people, but honestly I don't know what you use. But, remember life before...that?) Checking to make sure you had your bulky wallet somewhere on...

letter.lanekeep.com

1

Hybridiot @hybridiot.com · 8d

Today’s Substack post will be the last for Hybridiot. But it’s not the end! (Hint: Start following @lanekeep.com): transmissions.hybridiot.com/p/goodbye-hy...

1

Hybridiot @hybridiot.com · 18d

So @edmunds.com nailed the take: why get a DOGE-spec Model Y when you could have a pretty loaded Hyundai Ioniq 5 SEL for the same price?

Similar range, access to the Tesla charging network, heaps more standard equipment, and no moral gymnastics required.

Hybridiot @hybridiot.com · 27d

Scout Traveler: A pretty, dirty thing.

New vid on the electric revival of the iconic #Scout SUV—350mi range, optional gas extender, 35" tires.

But will anyone want a $60-80k electric SUV that leaves pavement in 2027? 🤔

youtu.be/asynERYUelc

Scout Traveler: Pretty Enough for NYC, Rugged Enough to Get Dirty | Electric SUV First Look

I spotted the upcoming Scout Traveler electric SUV looking perfectly at home in NYC's Financial District—but don't let the clean city setting fool you. This all-new EV from VW Group revives the…

youtu.be

Hybridiot @hybridiot.com · Sep 19

According to their spokesperson, Rivian tech isn’t part of the Scout equation 🤷‍♂️

1

Hybridiot @hybridiot.com · Sep 19

Took a peek at the Scout Traveler today, on display in New York. Sporting a chic Pacific Mist Metallic hue, the retro-modern, American-made EV SUV looked ready to tame terrain & tarmac. Video soon.

1 1 2

Hybridiot @hybridiot.com · Aug 22

Good: 2026 #Cherokee gets 37 MPG, 500 mile range, proven hybrid tech

Bad: #Jeep slapped Cherokee badges on rental car vibes

Give us XJ-inspired design with capability, or call it what it is: a Compass. Or…Patriot 😬

Hybridiot @hybridiot.com · Aug 20

Yeah, a total unforced error on the ports.

1 1

Hybridiot @hybridiot.com · Aug 20

EV fans: "We want an affordable Model 3!"
Tesla: builds Cybertruck
Nissan: "Hold my beer. Here's an all-new $29,990 Leaf with 300+ miles of range and your Supercharger access." 🤷

1 2

Hybridiot @hybridiot.com · Jul 1

All but one GOP Senator whose states are counting on major investments in EVs voted YES.

Nothing says “freedom” like helping Big Oil and making clean cars more expensive.

1

Hybridiot @hybridiot.com · Jul 1

Okay, potential EV buyers: the news has gone from bad to worse.

The Senate version of the GOP tax bill, passed today, is ending EV tax credits THREE MONTHS EARLIER. Buy your eligible vehicle by Sept. 30, 2025 to get the $7,500 new EV credit or $4,000 used EV credit.

2 1

Hybridiot @hybridiot.com · Jun 13

Tesla Model S & X “refresh” — are they even trying? Has a company ever had such a commanding lead in a space & just ceased innovating? Maybe Nissan with the Leaf? At least the upcoming Leaf looks…like a new idea?

Video on Out of Spec: youtu.be/7VoVbG1ZM9k?...

2

Hybridiot @hybridiot.com · Jun 6

It’s not just bad for industry — it’s bad for families, workers, and local economies who were promised something better. And it's bad for people embracing the future of mobility.

Hybridiot @hybridiot.com · Jun 6

How do we know? A Japanese company just hit pause on a $1.6B EV battery plant in South Carolina that would supply American-built BMWs, citing “policy and market uncertainty.”

This pause puts 1,600 jobs on hold and deepens the chill already being felt across other EV investments in the South.

1

Hybridiot @hybridiot.com · Jun 6

This is getting serious, folks. Will certain senators grow spines & prevent one of the biggest self-owns in American industrial history?

→ EV tax credits are under threat in the proposed tax bill
→ Tariffs are already driving up costs
→ The future of clean car manufacturing in America is at risk

1

Hybridiot @hybridiot.com · Jun 4

Saw the #Rivian R2 in NYC. Same test mule as last year, new mysterious gray paint, still off-limits to human touch.
But: it’s pretty. And timely. Especially with Tesla spiraling and everyone else frozen by tariffs.
I remain deposit-pilled. Video:

2

Hybridiot @hybridiot.com · Jun 4

Hello, lil fella. Detailed #Rivian #R2 walk around video coming.

2 3

Hybridiot @hybridiot.com · Jun 4

#Tesla could revolutionize #EV adoption in America by incentivizing their pre-owned inventory for first-time buyers and offering attractive financing + free charging. Pile up the goodies so people get past the #Elon of it all.

Hybridiot @hybridiot.com · Jun 3

At best, this shows negative forward thinking by state decision makers. At worst, this feels like something hashed out in the Bada Bing parking lot.

I wonder what kind of chargers they have there... /end

Hybridiot @hybridiot.com · Jun 3

Now if the replacement gear was BETTER, that'd be one thing, but it's WORSE: slower speeds, fewer units, and more expensive! Like replacing fiber-optic internet with dial-up, then charging broadband prices.

And we've already begun the shift to native NACS /Tesla plugs installed in new cars. 2/3

1 1

Hybridiot @hybridiot.com · Jun 3

No matter how you feel about #Tesla these days, it's hard to see any logic behind the state of New Jersey opting to decommission 60+ Tesla chargers along the NJ #Turnpike due to an exclusivity deal it signed with the Irish company that runs its highway rest stops. 1/3

1

Hybridiot @hybridiot.com · May 28

Watching 1st hands-on encounters with Toyota's bZ Woodland EV wagon.

Pros: excellent power, ample cargo space, practical interior, comfy seats, Lexus-y infotainment, Subaru-inspired AWD.
Cons: questionable bZ4x cladding remains (see pic), RANGE. If they only coulda eked closer to 300 miles. Sigh.

Hybridiot @hybridiot.com · May 27

I always look forward to @tomvoelk.bsky.social‬’s Mudfest recap—and this year’s is a good one.

The Ioniq 5 XRT & Forester Hybrid both showed up big! Electrified rides are out here slinging mud & taking home trophies.

Highly recommend the watch:
🎥 buff.ly/ESsh7XK
#Mudfest2025

21 SUVs and Pickups. 1 Grand Prize Winner. Welcome to NWAPA Mudfest 2025! #automobile

Every year, Northwest Automotive Press Association members get together to hold Mudfest, the NW Activity Vehicle of the Year competition. It’s a real world l...

youtu.be

1 2

Hybridiot @hybridiot.com · May 22

End of 2026:
- The $7,500 new EV credit ends entirely for all automakers.

Will GOP senators from states with major EV interests push back? Stay tuned.

Hybridiot @hybridiot.com · May 22

EV buyers: If the Senate passes the House’s new tax bill, the clock is ticking on your federal tax credits.

The timeline:
End of 2025:
- $4,000 used EV credit? Gone.
- $7,500 lease loophole? Closed.
- AND: No more new EV credits for Tesla, Ford, GM, Hyundai & others that passed 200K EV sales. 1/2

1 1