If you thought the world wasn't changing - think again. To follow is a statement that only a couple of years ago I never imagined I'd ever hear - even if I had inhaled:

General Motors is determined to “remove the car from the environment and energy debate” in the next 10 years by doing away with the internal combustion engine altogether. - Autocar

I wonder what Rex Tillerson will think of that statement from Detroit? If he hasn't already choked on his rice crispies, wait till he reads on a little. Even hybrid engines, which some have described as merely corporate greenwash, will get the axe:

“Hybrids are not a solution,” he said. “They just delay the day of reckoning. The debate about hybrids being cleaner than diesel is irrelevant - the diesel is a dead end because it uses fossil fuels." - Autocar

And the alternative? GM are investing heavily in both hydrogen fuel cell technology, and the full electrification of cars. Plug in electric cars have always seemed the most sensible transitional option for our society as we move away from fossil fuels. We have... um... plugged this concept here, here, and here. GM now states a major commitment to head down this road:

Dr Borroni-Bird is part of a team accelerating development of GM’s Chevrolet Volt concept car in an attempt to get it into production by 2010. Last week the company announced it has signed contracts to begin development of new high-performance lithium ion batteries, vital to getting an electric car with a useable range to market.

But there is no guarantee that these batteries will be ready for use in a production car in three years. Despite this risk, GM is willing to risk spending millions on developing a car that may not have a viable propulsion system by the time its ready to go on sale.

Part of GM’s strategy is to complete the “electrification” of the car.... - Autocar

An all-electric car, combined with home and employer solar cell recharge stations, could be the ultimate in energy independence - unless someone finds a way to claim resource rights over the sun's rays, of course.

Solar cell development is moving ahead apace (see here, and here). A solar future is entirely feasible. The obvious question is, why does it need to take so long?