I actually disagree with a fundamental part of your argument. I do believe those living outside city centers are significantly more "freedom loving" than their city dwelling counterparts. I don't live out here because I can't afford to live in a city, I live out here because I'm afforded more freedom (more free space to move around, fewer lifestyle restrictions, generally fewer regulations, etc) to do as I want. I think the idea of autonomous vehicles or an outright ban on vehicles makes sense in a place like Manhattan. Most of us don't live there and this is a rather sprawling country. Waiting around for an autonomous blob to get to my house when my pig has decided that ant poison is delicious and needs to be rushed to the vet wouldn't work.

If price were a motivating enough factor for people to change, places like SF and Manhattan would be empty.