This is great stuff. Especially about that totally cool sounding guy in Vienna! ;-)

Joking aside, I like that you note "zero emission" vehicles. Even though I'm a big fan of electric cars, We should keep our eyes on the prize: emissions.

If there are no emissions from the tailpipe, and ULEV gasoline cars fit that bill, then I'm in favor. While we strive for zero tailpipe (or no tailpipe for electrics!) emissions, we should start looking up the distribution chain - in all industries.

How is the electricity being generated? What emissions are coming from the refineries, pipelines, transmission lines, battery factories, transport ships (that is a HUGE ISSUE that virtually no one talks about!!!), smelting, extraction (ore and oil), etc., etc. Get those things quantified and regulated and push the limits aggressively towards zero.

The key is to not just push the emissions out of site (e.g. those transport ships again!!!) and think that solves the problem.