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As far as climate impact goes, I think the long-term idea is on-demand, self-driving electric cars that get their energy from wind and solar. Remember, the pre

As far as climate impact goes, I think the long-term idea is on-demand, self-driving electric cars that get their energy from wind and solar. Remember, the present system, which is destroying the climate, has many parts, so you have to change most or all of them to really fix things. But the parts will not be changed all at once. So for each component you need something new that will sell on its own, but also fit into the new overall pattern you want to get to eventually. What the transportation-on-demand companies are doing is a good example of this.

hackuser 10y ago
> As far as climate impact goes, I think the long-term idea is on-demand, self-driving electric cars that get their energy from wind and solar. Hmmm ... * Is there research showing that self-driving cars impact climate significantly less than person-driven cars? * On-demand should reduce the number of cars manufactured compared to individually owned cars, which helps but I have no idea how much. * There may be much more efficient public transport, such as buses and trains, than a fleet of on-demand self-driving cars. * If wind and solar can power self-driving cars, they probably can power any other kind. I don't see how the energy source ties in with the rest.
- woodandsteel 10y ago
  On-demand helps with mass transit because it solves the last-mile problem. On-demand self-driving cars are cheaper to use than on-demand with a paid driver, so more people will use them, which cuts the total number of cars needed. As you say, that means less energy expended on building cars. It also means less energy for road construction and maintenance, and less city parking. Less city parking means more density, which cuts transportation costs. I forgot to say in my OP that the new pattern would also include extensive car pooling, which on-demand makes possible and I am guessing that self-driving makes somewhat easier.
  - hackuser 10y ago
    Great points; thanks.

hackuser 10y ago

> As far as climate impact goes, I think the long-term idea is on-demand, self-driving electric cars that get their energy from wind and solar. Hmmm ... * Is there research showing that self-driving cars impact climate significantly less than person-driven cars? * On-demand should reduce the number of cars manufactured compared to individually owned cars, which helps but I have no idea how much. * There may be much more efficient public transport, such as buses and trains, than a fleet of on-demand self-driving cars. * If wind and solar can power self-driving cars, they probably can power any other kind. I don't see how the energy source ties in with the rest.

woodandsteel 10y ago
On-demand helps with mass transit because it solves the last-mile problem. On-demand self-driving cars are cheaper to use than on-demand with a paid driver, so more people will use them, which cuts the total number of cars needed. As you say, that means less energy expended on building cars. It also means less energy for road construction and maintenance, and less city parking. Less city parking means more density, which cuts transportation costs. I forgot to say in my OP that the new pattern would also include extensive car pooling, which on-demand makes possible and I am guessing that self-driving makes somewhat easier.
- hackuser 10y ago
  Great points; thanks.