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this post was submitted on 26 Dec 2025
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Fuck Cars
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They're not designed for prolonged, US highway speeds.
Because they don't need to be.
Because Japan has a functional mass transit system of bullet trains for moving medium to long distances.
Kei cars would fine now if we'd started a mass rail renovation/rebuild/extension program 15 years ago.
Like, you're not wrong, Kei cars would burn themselves out on the US highway system.
... A possible middle ground could maybe be hybrids that are basically what we in the US call subcompact sized.
I used to have a Prius C.
Its fast enough and powerful enough that I once got it up to 105mph, it can maintain at 70mph no problem.
But its stupidly more efficient in mpg terms at city speeds, roughly 50 mpg if you drive it like a not maniac.
Not as small or cheap as a Kei car, but ... a better 'default' car than mega suvs and mega trucks, far smaller, lighter, cheaper and efficient than either of those.
Main problem with a subcompact hybrid is the massive cost of repair or replacement of the battery pack... maybe the new sodium ion tech could lead to something there? Not sure.