Okay, what can we realistically expect from a Trump presidency?

[Ben Kenobi]

The key point is the generation of power.
The latest when we have solved the long term problems of fusion power (and have no supply problems for the resources for clean power generation) there will be no reason not to switch to EVs anymore.

Actually, it will make EVs look like tinker toys. Why would anyone waste their time with EVs when they have a Mr. Fusion?

In the meantime there already is a solution that combines both. Hybrid Vehicles that have both, an ICE as well as electric motors, therefore enabling it to switch to the ICE for times when, for example, there is no opportunity to recharge the battery.

Uh, except that hybrids are way heavier. Gas is really good - chemically for what it does. Why replace it?

Charging stations, for rural areas? LOL.

[rah]

We'll see if the market dictates otherwise eventually. I think technology will change the equation.
The price of gas will play an important roll. For now, it's cheap, but it will swing the other way again.

[KrazyHorse]

We'll see if the market dictates otherwise eventually.

Exactly. Nobody knows the future, and trying to dictate it via clean energy mandates and electric vehicle targets is the highest form of arrogance. If people make EVs cheap (vs the alternative, including appropriate carbon taxes) then people will use them. Otherwise they won't.

[rah]

But there will always be some that will be motivated by environmental concerns.

[giblets]

Carbon taxes are politically harder to implement

[rah]

Not expecting a lot of movement in that area by the upcoming administration.

[Proteus_MST]

Actually, it will make EVs look like tinker toys. Why would anyone waste their time with EVs when they have a Mr. Fusion?

Because fusion reactors will most likely be too large to fit them into cars (and surely also too expensive) ... and therefore you will need a battery driven car that uses the electric energy genberated by fusion reactors

Uh, except that hybrids are way heavier. Gas is really good - chemically for what it does. Why replace it?

Hyhrids may be heavier, but the power they use most likely will be cheaper nevertheless ... so, the running costs may be cheaper (at least if the car is used predominately in electric mode)
Not to forget that AFAIK also the US subsidizes Hybrids (as well as full EVs) and therefore for the individual owner there may be good financial reasons to get an EV or hybrid (especially if is is used predominately for short distances, like many cars in the US)

Charging stations, for rural areas? LOL.

When Bertha Benz in 1888 made the worlds first long distance drive with the new invention of her husband, the "automobil" she didn't even have any "petrol stations". Instead she had to buy cleaning petrol from pharmacies in order to refill the tank of the car.

Nowadays we have gas stations in every little corner of almost all countries.

If demand for electric charging station increases (due to more people buying EVs or Hybrids), other people will surely begin to open charging stations on their own initative (and/or buy into already existing franchises for charging stations). SImilar like it happened for gas stations, a little bit more than 100 years ago

[KrazyHorse]

Carbon taxes are politically harder to implement

The other policies are worse than nothing.

[KrazyHorse]

Carbon taxes are politically harder to implement

Especially when the environmentalists mostly don't actually care about the environment.

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/09112016/washington-state-carbon-tax-i-732-ballot-measure

[giblets]

wow that was pretty stupid of them

[onodera]

We can expect a registry of Muslims apparently... maybe they can wear a symbol to make them easy to spot in public ...

Like a hijab? Make men wear a fez too.

[Aeson]

Aaron Burr gets to duel another President... this time on Twitter

[Jon Miller]

Especially when the environmentalists mostly don't actually care about the environment.

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/0...ballot-measure

The US radical left is just as focused on 'purity', engaged in infighting and incapable of compromise as the radical right. It just isn't always as noticeable because the US radical right has been very successful (Tea Party) while very rarely is the radical left even noticed (Washington is probably one of the rare places it can be noticed).

JM

[KrazyHorse]

What do you mean "just as"? I'd say that historically the far left has been way more focused on ideological purity than the far right, and it's only recently (10 years or so) that the equivalent form of navel gazing has started to affect mainstream right politics.

https://youtu.be/WboggjN_G-4

[KrazyHorse]

Anybody who's a member of or donor to the union of concerned scientists should seriously consider withdrawing their support over the Washington state ballot measure. I'd give the same advice to supporters of the other supposed environmental groups that failed to support the carbon tax, but my guess is that they are immune to reason anyway.