[conservatism_IS_compassion]

1. The car would require tons and tons of shielding to protect people from radiation.

2. The reactor would cost millions of dollars.

3. The operator would require a license from the NRC.

4. The operator would have to post a hefty ‘decommissioning fee’.

Although I took the “power option” in my mechanical engineering curriculum in college half a century ago, at this late date I know little to nothing about thorium and its byproducts. But on general principles I assume that (1) would be true of any nuclear power source adequate to operate an automobile. Which would lead inexorably to (3) and (4) - and that “decommissioning fee” would have to include impossible assurances as to safety from accidental damage in vehicle operation.

In conjunction with (1), (3) and (4) would make economy of scale mandatory, leading inexorably to (2) as well.

Whoever says “fission powered automobile” has to say, electric car energized (almost certainly via battery) by a central nuclear power plant.

IMHO.

[TexasGator]

I think you have the big picture ...

[Sherman Logan]

Also, what are the results of a serious traffic accident?