The upfront cost could remain the same while externalities like road deaths, insurance, and even pollution (via e.g. more efficient braking / speeds) goes down.

It sucks, but most consumers are rational actors that don't care about those externalized costs (hence why we have tragedy of the commons). It's especially so for the price-sensitive demographics that GP was describing above, who care about their direct cost, which likely won't change for a while.

It’s not just cost though. I’m a bit over an hour drive to the nearest major city. I find I’m even less inclined than I used to be to head in for evening social event. If I could be driven, I’d be far more inclined to do that sort of thing and a (reasonable) cost wouldn’t be a huge factor.

>If I could be driven, I’d be far more inclined to do that sort of thing

The same way a taxi or ride-share would drive you right now?

The cost for me to get into the city with a human-driven car is close to $100 each way which is too high for pretty much anything other than going to the airport. Cut that in half and eliminate parking and it’s more thinkable for an evening event.

You assume self driving will be any cheaper. I doubt it.

I don’t necessarily disagree. A lot of people seem to assume that self-driving will be super-cheap, hence my use of the term treasonable. In fact, some trike today’s IRS deductions are probably the floor especially for anyone who isn’t trying to use a clunker of some sort.

I actually agree that today’s Uber/taxi rates are probably a good estimate for many years even once self-driving is practical.