Quote:
Originally Posted by doug mc
From what I've read, the use of internal combustion engines in some areas will be with us for some time yet. It just maybe fossil fuel won't be used.
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That would seem more than reasonable.
The problem I see with either side of the electric car / fosill fuel etc arguement is things must be black or white...we must go electric..everything! No exceptions or the IC crew fight the electric car as if it were evil...there are places for both no doubt and before folk become dogmatic about getting rid of fossil fuel perhaps a regime of sensible energy use could be tried...it bothers me the number of lights on at night that are unnecessary, or the waste of fuel on toys and un necessary stuff... limits on motor size for racing perhaps...in Asia they drag race 150 cc motor bikes and it seems like a lot of fun and the engineering challenge is obvious so why not? Let's get real with tractor pulling...multi motor tractors just need to go...change the V8 Super Cars to V4 s... now I don't know what fuel could be saved but the important thing is it would be helpful to change this more power mentality that wastes resources...
In any event we are predominantly in a market economy and new products simply need to be better to survive...I find it funny that the reason Tesla cars seem to be loved is because of their acceleration...that seems the first comment from owners but tells us the market wants better than before...autonomous cars will win because they will be better and that is only a matter of time...all the concerns, misgivings and straw man legal issues will be overcome simply because finally the market will demand a car that is easier to drive...And the folk who protest really remind me of the people who claim you are not really driving unless you have a manual transmission... And I admit once I was like that...automatics are for sooks...but now take my little red car ( Mazda MX 5) it is a 2 litre auto and if you want to play manual just hit the paddles on the steering wheel...honestly better that a manual and sure there are times when manual is comforting..like going into a corner when auto feels a little floaty..well hit your paddle and down shift...fantastic.
And I expect all those who voice opposition will learn to love the autonomous car of the future...maybe you only use the feature one the freeway or in peek hour traffic but you will adapt it's facilities to suit..that is what humans do...if you want your car to drive in flood waters perhaps get a boat.
Alex