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A carbon tax is essential to put all viable technical solutions on
an equal footing, without choosing technological winners and losers
politically.

Low speed, self driving rail car shuttles between adjacent cities
would save energy, make cars optional, better the urban and
suburban experience and give a safe transportation alternative to
an aging population. This would be an R & D initiative comparable
to the Airbus project in Europe.  Rather than importing from the
lowest bidder, we could form a cooperative venture between states,
cities and private investors.  Reprogramming existing rolling stock
is not the answer.  There isn't an "app" for this neglected sector
of transportation between medium size cities and surrounding low
density areas. High speed rail is more for show than to help
peoples lives, when there is no connecting network to get people to
their final destinations. 

Reduce speed limits connecting "ranchettes" to town.  People are
driving Teslas, when a golf cart would serve, because they are
afraid of 3 to 5 miles of highway driving.  A little urban planning
would go a long way for saving fuel.

Work with cities to take advantage parking lot and architectural
siting of solar energy. Open space is precious and should not be
wasted.

Lastly, educate and motivate people to have smaller families.  We
don't make progress so long as population growth out strips
efficiency gains. Life is less hectic when there is more of nature
and less of us.  The call for more young people to fund old
people's retirement is disingenuous and destructive.