WalletHub's Best and Worst States to Drive 2026

 

I was quoted in WalletHub's Best and Worst States to Drive 2026.

What tips do you have for a person looking to keep the costs of car ownership low?

Those looking for a new or replacement car need to research their next purchase. Sources like Edmund’s and Consumer Reports are free of hype and provide reliable data on vehicle features, performance, long-term costs, and mpg. Buyers should visit a dealer well informed and always test a few comparable models before committing to a purchase. They should ignore the so called “dealer pressure”.

If they already own an expensive vehicle to run, then they can consider a swap with a low running cost model at a dealer, Carvana, etc. Typically, hybrids are more economical and many used EVs are on the market at a fairly low price. Gasoline affinity programs can save several cents per gallon. Research local websites and find reliable independent car repair shops; obtain at least two quotes for an expensive maintenance and/or part replacement job. Check the costs of parts at reliable Internet sites and compare. YouTube and similar sources provide useful tutorials for basic DIY car maintenance. Insurance can be expensive; comparing quotes for identical coverage every few years is prudent.

Should states offer tax incentives or other benefits to encourage people to purchase electric vehicles? What else can states do to support the adoption of low-emissions vehicles (e.g., expanding charging station infrastructure for electric vehicles)?

Incentives can be attractive but are not economically efficient; for example, subsidizing an individual with $5,000 to buy a Tesla 3 instead of a similar hybrid car such as a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry is not a prudent expenditure of public funds. If the same Tesla 3 was purchased instead of a large truck or SUV, then the incentive could have a societal benefit… but hardly anybody who needs or wants a large vehicle will settle for a compact EV.

It seems that the adoption by several EV manufacturers of Tesla’s EV charging standard NACS, the North American Charging Standard, has created a nearly sufficient charging network for now in the US. The issues with public EV chargers are unreliability, compatibility and high kWh rates. States should legislate inspections and protections for charging stations, with priority given to charging stations for long distance travel and remote visitor destinations such as tourist attractions, national parks, etc.

In your opinion, when will self-driving cars be commonplace? What are the regulatory or policy hurdles?

Autonomous vehicles have become a politicized, with red states welcoming adoption and blue states raising barriers, although the actual situation is more complex and nuanced. The fact is that Waymo of the US and Didi of China among others have proved beyond doubt that this technology is both real and safe under most conditions. Driverless technology has employment implications for simple drivers, like taxi and Uber like drivers, e.g., there is direct substitution for the driving task. However, most other professional drivers, such as drivers of ambulances, city buses, handicapped vans, school buses and all others who provide added value in addition to driving are not threatened with substitution by a robotaxi. The US has had a hard time finding enough domestic, qualified truck drivers. It is unlikely that truck driver jobs will be threatened by automated long-distance trucks for at least a decade.

How can states reduce the number of traffic fatalities?

They can do so by focusing on VRUs, the Vulnerable Road Users, such as pedestrians, motorcyclists, bikers and road maintenance crews. Too little attention is paid to their behaviors and risk factors. Who can cite frequent police enforcement of intoxicated pedestrians crossing the road erratically? Motorcyclists without helmets, reckless electric bike riders, and careless pedestrians are often the underlying cause of major injuries or fatalities, but the typical traffic safety focus is still on the motorists. Here’s a typical quote from a TV news coverage of a VRU fatality: “Drugs, alcohol and speeding do not appear to be factors”… The focus is always on the driver and the vehicle!

What are your predictions for the automotive industry this year?

Due to component scarcity, negotiated union raises and tariffs, most manufacturers have a major “MSRP problem.” In addition, major domestic manufacturers had to make substantial EV related write-offs, in the billions of dollars, due to national policy changes. As a result, new vehicles are very costly, and their cost is not likely to be reduced this year. Therefore, sales will be flat or decreasing, and profits will be lower. Also, some consumers may downsize by selecting smaller, less profitable cars or trucks.

What are the top aspects that make a state more “driver-friendly”?

A state or region would be driver-friendly if it garnered average or below average metrics on most of these negative aspects of driving: Traffic congestion, sales tax, gasoline taxes, insurance premium cost, fatal crashes, property damage and theft rates. Many scenic drives on Oahu in Hawaii provide extraordinary driver satisfaction, but traffic fatality rates, car ownership costs and traffic congestion are well above average (i.e., bad), thus, in the long term, Oahu is not a driver friendly place.