As for revving up revenue, the company planned to wire its fleet with technology that would allow passengers to receive cell-phone signals and connect wirelessly to the Internet--without interfering with electronictransmissions to and from the cockpit.
That fuel economy comes from sophisticated electronic fuel and spark controls, and computerized automatic transmissions teamed up with a very sophisticated engine that was designed using computer-automated design, machined using CNC milling, and assembled by robots.
If it can be determined that signals do not interfere with the pilots' transmissions, should passengers now be allowed to use their electronic gadgets even in those few minutes?
Ultimately, the invisible, under-the-hood electronic architecture of the plug-in hybrid will become as commonplace as automatic transmissions and anti-lock brakes.