I'm not "acting" like anything. I'm not naive, I know that our energy sources we use today will run out some day, but the ideas that are popping up these days for energy sources are, imo, ways of flashpan corporations to get some quick cash and then fold.
Yah, and you know the auto manufacturers are 'holding back' because it would be awful if one of them developed a technology that was light-years ahead of the others. They're probably all in collusion, too.
It's my understanding that abortion is legal just not government funded, as for gay marriage, do what you want, I don't have to answer for other people's activities. Just remember when they want kids if they can't manage it on their own don't look to the public for answers.
Not necessarily. Sometimes innovation is expensive. As a manufacturer you dont want to be out there on a limb by yourself trying to sell a better product which cost you a lot of money to develop and manufacture while your competition continues to pump out cheaper products.
Let's be real, Ro. If GM, or let's say even Toyota, introduced a standard sized vehicle or SUV similar to what is currently available that got 50 miles to the gallon, do you not think they would recoup their R&D in a relatively quick fashion? There would be no competition.
I'd suggest you likely aren't very familiar with the auto manufacturing industry. The industry literally THRIVES on that very thing - massive risk on new technology. There is CONSTANT pressure to improve their vehicles in order to encourage folks to upgrade when it's not necessary. Everything from safety to luxury to energy efficiency. Think about the money the auto manufacturers have spent on electric and hybrid tech KNOWING that they would likely never recoup unless they sold extremely well.
Again, it really depends on costs. We are seeing that situation right now with plug in hybrids (i.e. Volt). They have very good costs per mile to drive but the upfront costs are high too.
I have no doubt that the internal combustion engine's efficiency can still be improved. I am sure that the manufacturers are actively working on this. My original comment was saying that right now their urgency with this has been mitigated to a degree because battery cars are allowing them to meet CAFE stds for awhile so the urgency with improving the ICE has decreased.
...if a call to increase taxes will pass? In California? Of course it will. The economy will contract even further just like an increase of cost does with just about any item. They could pretend that there are no laws of economics but the economy will react the same either way. Money (i.e. capital) is much like water in that it will find the path of least resistence. CA money is finding less resistence in Texas. I would suspect the exodus of people and capital to continue out of the No-Longer Golden State. The only thing that is golden out there is the lawmakers peeing all over the taxpayers of that state.
If I recall correctly, some or all of the possible increases are relegated to ballot measures since the increases were blocked by Republicans in the legislature (some form of super majority, not simple majority, is required to pass tax increases in the legislature).
