QUOTE]Originally posted by Quickbeam
3) The cost increased initial cost of producing such cars would either:
a. need to be passed on to the comsumers, who would then buy fewer vehicles because fewer folks could afford 'em.
OR
b. be partially absorbed by the automakers themselves (fat chance), thus lowering their profit margins and causing their stock value to decline.
[/QUOTE]
So, you're saying automakers would pass up a chance to sell EVERYONE IN AMERICA A NEW CAR?????
Are you MAD????
It's very simple. Once the MiracleCar TM is made, the automakers begin channeling money to Greenpeace and other eco groups, giving them lobbying power like they've never had before. They convince the government to mandate a changeover to the MiracleCar in a ridiculously short timeframe -- five years, say. This is plenty of time for Detroit to retool. Ban all "evil, polluting, gas burning cars". Mandate a teeny-tiny rebate to car owners for the switchover, but make sure anyone who complains is painted as a hideous raper of Mother Earth.
Besides, how would such a 'conspiracy' work? If such technology exists, and the creator couldn't sell it, he could just POST THE PLANS TO USENET. There would be a million copies of the plans in a matter of hours. Nothing could kill them.
Further further, what about the rest of the world? Even if you couldn't see your invention in America, what about China? A billion customers, most of whom don't have cars, in large part due to the lack of a fuel infrastructure.
And saying "I don't believe it's not possible" doesn't make it so, or not so, as the case may be. There's a lot of real physics involved in why we use gasoline. Alcohol simply doesn't contain enough energy per gallon -- that's why farmers who grow grain to make fuel alcohol need to use gas-powered equipment to do it. If they relied on their own fuel, they couldn't grow enough.
Think I'm wrong? Then draw up the plans, build the prototype, and prove it. Saying that you "Believe" an invention is possible is meaningless. Belief means diddly.