[sgolestane]

Per http://www.americanenergyindependence.com/fuels.aspx "70% of all oil consumed in the U.S. is used for transportation"

[coredog64]

Elon Musk isn't building an all electric version of the 787.

[porsupah]

It's worth bearing in mind that Airbus does have electric aviation in mind:

http://www.airbusgroup.com/int/en/corporate-social-responsib...

Early days yet, of course, but the groundwork is underway.

[philipkglass]

I expect commercial aircraft to remain hydrocarbon fueled for the foreseeable future. But jet fuel is only 11% of American transport fuel demand: http://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/?page=us_energy_transport...

(Meaning less than 8% of all American petroleum consumption, given the other poster's 70% figure.)

[officelineback]

To me, 11% of all transport fuel demand is a lot! I wonder what the balance is for trains, long haul trucks, are diesel delivery trucks in general are.

[altern8tif]

Well, I wouldn't bet against him giving it a shot.

[noonespecial]

Yet

[edblarney]

The US is about 25% of the world economy and shrinking fast.

Same for Europe.

EU + US are about 1 Billion of 7.5 Billion people on the planet, many of whom don't have cars, but are about to be able to afford them ...