In a recent program with transportation technology expert Daniel Sperling on US television program The Daily Show, host Jon Stewart suggested the US government take some of the stimulus funds and “start building stations across the country” for electric and other alternative-fuel vehicles. That could be the nation’s “Manhattan project” over the next decade—the idea being that US drivers would buy less-polluting vehicles if only they had somewhere to refuel them.That almost sounds like a good idea for a few seconds before it falls apart under the weight of any serious thought. For instance, would the government build refueling stations and then operate t...