the electric car was invented before the internal combustion engine driven car. The electric one lost due to real physical disadvantages and economic realities that persist to the present day. So your assumptions are demonstratablely wrong. We also know how to build thorium reactors, we just don't.
The SUV has a valid use case. It's not significantly different than a minivan, nor are they less efficient; and they can be used as a small truck as well.
We can't. The best we can do is to present a level playing field and hope that the law of averages will permit these talented types to rise to their potential.
What economic realities are you talking about? The fact that you don't have to pay for your pollution? And physical disadvantages? Like in real physical hurdles that can't be overcome? Or problems to be solved?
Yes, and why do we use uranium instead? To produce weapons. Sad but true. Thorium waste can't be refined to nuclear bombs so that line of research was killed. Depressing isn't it? Is that really the end of the line in nuclear research? Don't you think we could have gotten a bit further if we didn't focus most of our energy on burning oil?
Sure the SUV have valid uses. Is that how most of them are used? The idea of using 3 tonnes of steel to transport 70 kg of flesh is bloody stupid.
How do you present a level playing field? Education for everyone? Nutrition to help them develop their physical and mental strength? Who will pay for this?