But the one thing that even the most remote destination can boast is an electric power line running all the way there. With the proper plug and inverter you could probably drive an electric car across the country *right now*.

Spot on, though. From an engineering perspective, we waste so much energy and resources with conventional engines that it’s ludicrous for us to keep pushing them down a performance and efficiency path they can’t continue down.

P.S. Hydrogen isn’t promising. The amount of energy required to generate that hydrogen eclipses the amount used to power your car. Hydrogen is the oil industry’s way of maintaining their current distribution model (ship a liquid fuel to stations where consumers fill their tank from a pump), but replacing their “bad” product with a “green” one. Hydrogen is a smoke screen to divert our attention from the promise of decent battery technology and improved charge times.

P.P.S. Climate change is as much a “belief” as evolution, gravity, and the speed of light. The evidence is right there for all to see. As a programmer in the atmospheric science realm (and with a wife who’s a geologist), I really can’t understand how people conflate the very real scientific concern about rapid, irreversible atmospheric change with religion. If you don’t believe Al Gore, great! I would encourage you to read more, though, since this isn’t about “belief”, it’s about evidence and action. Gore is the lighthouse warning you of rocks ahead. Does he shine his light too bright? Perhaps, but hopefully enough people will get the hint that this won’t just go away and they’ll educate themselves.