Automobiles

While I do not deny the existence of reasonably working prototypes, I do not expect driverless cars to transform the transportation landscape in the way their boosters claim. Indeed, I am a bit surprised that anyone would consider such transformative claims the least bit more plausible than the patently ridiculous claims once made with comparable fanfare on behalf of Segways.

If electric vehicles (EVs) are to become ubiquitous we have a number of hurdles to overcome. These include:

1. Improvements to batteries not only to make them hold a charge longer but to also recharge faster.
2. The building of an electric infrastructure with recharge capability not just at one point but at many.

Today's EVs require the purchaser to find places to recharge their vehicles. The problem -- there is little in the way of infrastructure out there, at least nothing even close to what is available for diesel or gasoline-fueled vehicles. That means EV purchasers must install special recharging stations in their home garages.