Just in case any of us forget why we're all impatiently looking forward to mass market electric vehicles here's a reminder of where all the money we pour into our fuel tanks is going. An Airbus A380 super jumbo jet, an aircraft designed to carry 600 passengers, is having a refit to turn it into a gold plated flying palace for the personal use of Saudi Prince al-Waleed bin Talal.
On top of the $475 Million purchase of the bare A380 (the Prince has traded in his previous private jet, a Boeing 747-400) the A380 will have a fit out that includes five suites which form the owner's private quarters all with king size beds, entertainment systems and a prayer room featuring computer generated prayer mats which always face Mecca. A lift shuttles between the plane's three floors, from the private quarters upstairs, down to the concert hall, featuring a baby grand piano and seating for ten, and a drive in garage below to stow one of the Princes 300 cars.
The A380 is listed in the 2009 Guiness World Records as the largest private jet in the world.
