Hybridiot
@hybridiot.com
I write about cars as culture — the cosplay, the contradictions, and the quiet revolutions shaping how we move today, as electrification rewrites the rules. Now @lanekeep.com
Reposted by Hybridiot
My new Lanekeep Letter is live! Debut issue: are any PHEVs good?
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...
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
October 25, 2025 at 1:30 AM
My new Lanekeep Letter is live! Debut issue: are any PHEVs good?
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...
October 18, 2025 at 12:12 AM
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...
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.
Similar range, access to the Tesla charging network, heaps more standard equipment, and no moral gymnastics required.
October 8, 2025 at 3:14 AM
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.
Similar range, access to the Tesla charging network, heaps more standard equipment, and no moral gymnastics required.
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
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
September 29, 2025 at 12:58 PM
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
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
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.
September 19, 2025 at 6:17 PM
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.
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." 🤷
Tesla: builds Cybertruck
Nissan: "Hold my beer. Here's an all-new $29,990 Leaf with 300+ miles of range and your Supercharger access." 🤷
August 20, 2025 at 7:02 PM
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." 🤷
Tesla: builds Cybertruck
Nissan: "Hold my beer. Here's an all-new $29,990 Leaf with 300+ miles of range and your Supercharger access." 🤷
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.
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.
July 1, 2025 at 8:57 PM
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.
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.
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?...
Video on Out of Spec: youtu.be/7VoVbG1ZM9k?...
June 13, 2025 at 1:41 PM
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?...
Video on Out of Spec: youtu.be/7VoVbG1ZM9k?...
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
→ 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
June 6, 2025 at 8:01 PM
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
→ 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
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:
But: it’s pretty. And timely. Especially with Tesla spiraling and everyone else frozen by tariffs.
I remain deposit-pilled. Video:
June 4, 2025 at 4:40 PM
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:
But: it’s pretty. And timely. Especially with Tesla spiraling and everyone else frozen by tariffs.
I remain deposit-pilled. Video:
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.
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.
May 28, 2025 at 1:32 AM
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.
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.
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
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
May 27, 2025 at 6:09 PM
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
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
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
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
May 22, 2025 at 5:36 PM
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
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
Amidst all the RAV4 news, this kinda slipped through the cracks:
While #Honda Pilots, Passports, and Odysseys have been adept at hauling juice box sippers, they haven't exactly been fuel sippers, but that's about to change.
Honda says new hybrid systems are coming by 2027 for its large vehicles! 🧵
While #Honda Pilots, Passports, and Odysseys have been adept at hauling juice box sippers, they haven't exactly been fuel sippers, but that's about to change.
Honda says new hybrid systems are coming by 2027 for its large vehicles! 🧵
May 21, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Amidst all the RAV4 news, this kinda slipped through the cracks:
While #Honda Pilots, Passports, and Odysseys have been adept at hauling juice box sippers, they haven't exactly been fuel sippers, but that's about to change.
Honda says new hybrid systems are coming by 2027 for its large vehicles! 🧵
While #Honda Pilots, Passports, and Odysseys have been adept at hauling juice box sippers, they haven't exactly been fuel sippers, but that's about to change.
Honda says new hybrid systems are coming by 2027 for its large vehicles! 🧵
Just when the EV market had my spirits laggin’, suddenly we’ve got not one but TWO electric wagons!
Toyota revealed its bZ Woodland wagon today (top), the sister car to Subaru’s Trailseeker, giving this wagon lover “oh what a feeling” vibes!
Toyota revealed its bZ Woodland wagon today (top), the sister car to Subaru’s Trailseeker, giving this wagon lover “oh what a feeling” vibes!
May 15, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Just when the EV market had my spirits laggin’, suddenly we’ve got not one but TWO electric wagons!
Toyota revealed its bZ Woodland wagon today (top), the sister car to Subaru’s Trailseeker, giving this wagon lover “oh what a feeling” vibes!
Toyota revealed its bZ Woodland wagon today (top), the sister car to Subaru’s Trailseeker, giving this wagon lover “oh what a feeling” vibes!
Republicans want to kill the #EVtaxcredit because it’s “too expensive.” (Bloomberg)
Sure, the 10-year cost might hit $200B.
But that’s only because Americans are actually buying #EVs.
That’s not waste. That’s uptake.
Meanwhile, China’s exporting EVs to every major nation but us.
🧵
Sure, the 10-year cost might hit $200B.
But that’s only because Americans are actually buying #EVs.
That’s not waste. That’s uptake.
Meanwhile, China’s exporting EVs to every major nation but us.
🧵
May 6, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Republicans want to kill the #EVtaxcredit because it’s “too expensive.” (Bloomberg)
Sure, the 10-year cost might hit $200B.
But that’s only because Americans are actually buying #EVs.
That’s not waste. That’s uptake.
Meanwhile, China’s exporting EVs to every major nation but us.
🧵
Sure, the 10-year cost might hit $200B.
But that’s only because Americans are actually buying #EVs.
That’s not waste. That’s uptake.
Meanwhile, China’s exporting EVs to every major nation but us.
🧵
More than anything, this #tariff uncertainty is stripping the joy out of following new #carculture right now.
Writing 1,000 upbeat words about Subaru’s hybrid launches at the NY Auto Show was harder than redlining a Nissan Versa.
Writing 1,000 upbeat words about Subaru’s hybrid launches at the NY Auto Show was harder than redlining a Nissan Versa.
May 2, 2025 at 1:06 PM
More than anything, this #tariff uncertainty is stripping the joy out of following new #carculture right now.
Writing 1,000 upbeat words about Subaru’s hybrid launches at the NY Auto Show was harder than redlining a Nissan Versa.
Writing 1,000 upbeat words about Subaru’s hybrid launches at the NY Auto Show was harder than redlining a Nissan Versa.
Subaru’s hybrid era is here & it's hotter than Pedro Pascal in a Patagonia vest.
They built trust with eco-conscious buyers before they had efficient cars.
Now their hybrids are here & running Toyota tech. Their EVs don’t suck. Their timing? Perfect. buff.ly/zboUcOf
They built trust with eco-conscious buyers before they had efficient cars.
Now their hybrids are here & running Toyota tech. Their EVs don’t suck. Their timing? Perfect. buff.ly/zboUcOf
April 30, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Subaru’s hybrid era is here & it's hotter than Pedro Pascal in a Patagonia vest.
They built trust with eco-conscious buyers before they had efficient cars.
Now their hybrids are here & running Toyota tech. Their EVs don’t suck. Their timing? Perfect. buff.ly/zboUcOf
They built trust with eco-conscious buyers before they had efficient cars.
Now their hybrids are here & running Toyota tech. Their EVs don’t suck. Their timing? Perfect. buff.ly/zboUcOf
Most kids still ride to #school on diesel buses that are 10x dirtier than modern cars.
A few lucky ones? They get electric. Cheaper to run & cleaner for all, made in the U.S. #EV buses save money, save lungs, and they’re built here. But frozen funding & #trade wars are slowing things down.
A few lucky ones? They get electric. Cheaper to run & cleaner for all, made in the U.S. #EV buses save money, save lungs, and they’re built here. But frozen funding & #trade wars are slowing things down.
April 28, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Yes, the guerrilla campaign was garbage — but the sub-$25K EV truck #Slate just launched? This is the cheap, no-frills #EV we need.
150 miles of range, no screen, no colors, DIY upgrades. Not chic, but accessible.
Sometimes progress looks more like an ‘80s Datsun beater than a #Cybertruck.
150 miles of range, no screen, no colors, DIY upgrades. Not chic, but accessible.
Sometimes progress looks more like an ‘80s Datsun beater than a #Cybertruck.
April 25, 2025 at 5:03 AM
Yes, the guerrilla campaign was garbage — but the sub-$25K EV truck #Slate just launched? This is the cheap, no-frills #EV we need.
150 miles of range, no screen, no colors, DIY upgrades. Not chic, but accessible.
Sometimes progress looks more like an ‘80s Datsun beater than a #Cybertruck.
150 miles of range, no screen, no colors, DIY upgrades. Not chic, but accessible.
Sometimes progress looks more like an ‘80s Datsun beater than a #Cybertruck.
Last week I asked Tom McParland what #EVs might ever be considered classics.
This week I put the same question to Tamara Warren of Le Car. Her picks:
#BMW #i8
#Chevy Volt (!!)
GM #EV1
A dream EV conversion? Her mom’s Dodge GLH Omni. Very #radwood.
More in today’s Hybridiot: buff.ly/3WnsWfI
This week I put the same question to Tamara Warren of Le Car. Her picks:
#BMW #i8
#Chevy Volt (!!)
GM #EV1
A dream EV conversion? Her mom’s Dodge GLH Omni. Very #radwood.
More in today’s Hybridiot: buff.ly/3WnsWfI
Talking “Future Classic” EVs with Tamara Warren
The esteemed automotive writer and founder of LeCar weighs in about EVs as vehicles for enthusiasts in my ongoing series.
buff.ly
April 22, 2025 at 1:47 PM