Joshua, priming the pump in a
Joshua, priming the pump in a free market should mean subsidizing research and infrastructure, not select products. If this tech cannot stand on its own economically, then it obviously is not ready for prime time use by the masses. So, the masses should not subsidize those few who choose to pay the higher premium.
Fact is, this subsidy will end some day. So, where will the PEVs be then? The only way prices come down is when the manufacturers use tech that is affordable without subsidies; and establishing price at an affordable level is what Toyota did with the Prius, albeit that price was somewhat elevated. Point is, the original Prius had no subsidies, except the lower price established by Toyota. Thus, Toyota made its own market, because they knew the priming of the pump was their responsibility, not ours, because they were the one making the profit.