I've seen buildings, bridges, skyscrapers...and everything else go from idea to completion in less than three years and a half years. Heddle came in with a finished product. One touted to be paradigm shifting, world class...anyone Not questioning why a deal isn't done is foolish.
Apples first iPhone was ten yrs ago...I guess they too, are in their infancy.
If they can't compete with the price of crude, then it's not viable. With this new administration, alternative fuel tech is on the back burner, fossil fuels are in. Doubtful, barring all out war, that crude prices escalate to the point PTO can be profitable for anyone.