Batteries are heavy, and include a huge 'sunk' energy cost in their production. They also don't last very long relative to the steel block combustion engine. They contain huge amounts of poisons that would contanimate any area that a major accident occurred. They are relatively slow, and have very limited ranges and long 'refueling' times. Even many 'green' leaning inventors have acknowleged the problems with electric transport, which is why the Revopower Wheel was invented. Pity it never made it to mass production, I would have bought one straight away. There is no substitute for the energy density of petrol.
Mostly matters of physics and economics, not matters of technology. Electric vehicles will become commonplace as soon as the economics of peak oil force the issue, and then people get accustomed to the particular inconviences that electric transport presents.
Perhaps we could have, but again, there isn't a lot of further research to be done. Again, we know how to build thorium cycle reactors, and we did it fourty years ago, but we just don't. The infrastructure, as you noted, exists for the refinement and production of uranium fuel rods, because of the military's desire for plutonium. We no longer need any more of that, and really need a lot less than we have, but the infrastructure exists. So uranium fuel cycle reactors not only have a precedent, they have an economicly mature nationwide/worldwide supply chain. An equivilent supply chain for thorium reactors would have to be built up from scratch, which can be done if we had the political will, but it seems that no one but India has any such will.
No contest there, but it's not really your's to decide.
True equal rights under the "law" (common law or natural law, like how the term was intended when the framers spoke the term.) No special rights for historicly oppressed groups, no identity politics. As a parent, I am responsible for the quality of their education and their health care, and no one else gets to intervene in my decisions. (excepting, perhaps, the child)
Batteries can be recycled and reused and yes they are poisonous in case of an accident. So are ICE cars. Not really a world of difference, except that it's easier to reduce pollution from electric cars. Are electric cars slow? Compared to what? They are on par with regular cars. The range could be solved and I know of a few ideas currently undergoing testing on how to charge electric cars during operation, which would also help with refuelling times. That too is an engineering problem and can be solved fairly easy. I saw a TED talk about replaceable battery packs. Go look for it. It's interesting.
I too see issues with green tech, but that doesn't mean we should stop trying. I had something similar to Revopower when I was young. Small two-stroke engine attached to the hub of a normal bike. Worked like a charm.
There's plenty to be done with our current reactors. They can be much more efficient than today. And fusion is still 20 years off.
Why shouldn't I have a say in things that affect me?
That's not creating an equal playing field. That's maintaining the status quo where the privileged have access to better
everything and underprivileged are still screwed. Children with parents who won't or can't provide for them will be at a disadvantage, and most will never catch up.