Now that 2018 is underway, we thought we'd drive right in. For our weekly look at personal mobility, we're going to look at some upcoming events that will affect how we get around this year.

We've got new trucks, new technologies, and a major new law. It's time for the Ride, the 2018 preview edition.

"One in seven cars sold right now is a truck, that's 14 percent of the market right now," says Carpenter. "They are contributed by just three models: Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado, Ram 1500."

Auto sales were down in 2017, declining 2 percent, and Carpenter expects that to fall again in 2018. "Pent-up demands seem to have been met at this point. In 2018, sales are expected to fall to 16.7 million," says Carpenter. 

In the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next week, automobile companies are expected to dominate. "Mercedes will release a new info-tainment system, Honda may put out a few robots," says Carpenter.

Also this week, Assemblyman Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) proposed legislation that would only allow zero-emission vehicles to be sold after Jan. 1, 2040. Ting said the bill is necessary to meet California’s pollution reduction goals.

"California has emission standards that are getting tougher and tougher. The only way the state is going to meet those standards is getting rid of vehicles emitting altogether," says Carpenter.