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When the whisperer pulls away (and whenever it drives for that matter), the power comes from the batteries

I'm not up on battery technology, but this may or may not be a weak point in the system. A relative owns a Honda hybrid, and he noted that the battery is supposed to be replaced every year at a not-inconsiderable cost. (Though I don't recall the figures so I don't know what the savings are...) And that is in a car that presumably relies less on its battery than one these vehicles.

Whether the battery materials can be inexpensively recycled, whether they're using better batteries... there's a lot I don't know. I'd be happy to see something like this succeed, but I'm sceptical of reports that speak so glowingly of a future of the sort where "at the mere pressing of a stud, one will be able to converse directly with anyone anywhere across the globe."

Dang it, where are those flying cars they promised?

Most hybrid cars that may be available in a short time will be small engine and lead acid battery hybrid systems. The small engine turns an alternator that keeps the large bank of batteries under charge. The batteries drive the electric motors which in turn moves the wheels of the vehicle. The engines run on diesel or gasoline, and emitt less pollution because of its size, the batteries are rechargeable and lead acid battery companies have set up recycling process to recover the lead electrodes. Result is a quieter and less polluting vehicle. Challenge is the cost of setting up the infrastructure to change, store spent and stockpile new batteries for the drivers. There are logistical and infrastructure issues that must be resolved. Gasoline stations have no problems with neighbors and do not take up much space nor considered a severe eyesore. A center that stockpiles new batteries and takes in old spent batteries will need alot of real estate and can be an eyesore. Ironicly the esthetic and environmental laws set up to protect the environment may be used to prevent this environmentally friendly technology from being set up for future drivers.

The battery being replaced every year thing sounded different from everything I've heard about hybrids, so I looked it up:

http://www.hybridcars.com/faq.html#battery

"The hybrid battery packs are designed to last for the lifetime of the vehicle, somewhere between 150,000 and 200,000 miles. The warranty covers the batteries for between eight and ten years, depending on the car maker. Some detractors doubt that the batteries will truly last that long, so only time will tell. "

Dang it, where are those flying cars they promised?

The government took the money that would have spent on developing them and built umpteen million miles of roads to maintain into perpetuity instead.

where are those flying cars they promised?

Turns out, most of you aren't capable of flying them. Ha, has ALF says, I kill me! < feable attempt at humor off > I know, no non serious discussions. DTOM