[rbanffy]

> How do I do that using light rail?

Doing groceries is one of the reasons I still have a car.

> Also, let's not pretend 12x1.5 liter bottles are easy to carry on light rail

Water is transported in pipes. This reduces my need to transport beverages substantially.

> I think public transport is effectively a failure

Most Europeans would disagree.

> It also has a 1.05 or so ROEI (or, more likely, <1, when you count full cycle)

Where did you get that number? Also keep in mind ethanol manufacturing from biomass can probably be very optimized. Sugarcane is just one case that yielded an enormous success in Brazil.

[candiodari]

> Water is transported in pipes. This reduces my need to transport beverages substantially.

They even come with free lead. Also they're government-owned, almost guaranteeing that if these pipes cause health issues (as they have in numerous examples, like Flint, Michigan) you won't get any restitution.

> Most Europeans would disagree.

I have lived in Europe. No they won't. Well, if you put it in those exact terms they might.

But the question asked here: "can public transport replace a car for you ?" would get a very strong "no" from most Europeans.