Why are we still dependent on gasoline for fueling cars?

Question

So here is my question. Modern cars are powered by gasoline. A small percentage of cars are flex fuel, hybrids, ect., but the vast majority still run off of good old gas.

Now, we have proof that the world is running out of oil, and that america is overwhelmingly dependent on foreign sources of the crude oil that makes gasoline.

Why is it, then, that we are so stubborn to change? Why haven't auto giants such as GM, Ford, or Honda designed electric cars, or more flex fuel cars or more diesel cars, even? The sad thing is, they did. the GM EV1 electric car. The Ford Reflex Hybrid concept. the Honda Insight. Of those three, only the GM and the Honda ever saw production, and only the Honda still exists. the EV1, was taken back by GM and destroyed. the ford reflex never made it out of concept. the insight production was halted.

we know the oil, gas, and car giants have the resources to end america's dependency on oil and gas.

the question is, why dont they?

yes, they are working on it. but they are dragging their feet when they dont need to. they have huge cash reserves, and putting ethanol fuel into a pump is absolutly no technical problem.

and i am not complaining, i am trying to get people to wake up to this problem.

please try and think of creative, useful answers.

Answer 1

We've had the technology for pure electric fuel cell vehicles for about 20years now. In the 1990s, all of the major car companies offered commercial models. They had a top speed of around 60, and could run for 4-6 hours on a charge, making them perfect of in-town use or local commuting.

And they plugged into any electrical outlet. Which, while not reducing overall energy production needs, at least shifted the consumption from small-scale (and inefficient) gasoline engines to large-scale (more efficient) electrical power plants.

The problem was, the oil companies and the car companies were in bed together. So, the prospect of having vehicles that didn't run on gasoline scared the oil companies, so they got the car companies to kill the idea.

We're still dependent on gasoline because that's what the oil companies want, and they have enough clout both in the industrial sector and in the legislatures to get what they want.

And because we let them, by giving them that power.

Answer 2

The sad truth is that there have been patents filed on steam engine cars that run on water and magnetic propulsion cars that run on virtually nothing. Why haven't these vehicles been developed? I'll tell you why...because the big oil companies buy the patents and bury them! Under superficial pressure from the federal government the oil companies have not too strongly blocked development of hybrids because they still burn mostly oil, but I guarantee you that if a pure electric car is ever patented that can go 60 and drive for days, or when ever anyother feasible alternative to oil burning vehicles surface, they will NEVER come to market because the big oil companies will buy their patents and bury them. I don't care how environmental you are or how pure in thought you are, if you invent a feasible alternative to gas gussling vehicles because you want to save the world, and then the big oil companies offer you $5billion for your patent, you will take the money, if not for you then for your family or other causes. Everyone has a price and the oil companies will always pay it to protect Their future.

Answer 3

I can tell you one secret story. One executive from Voxwagen company told me that they have already had the design of the car which they will manufacture at the 2025 year. Now the question is why don't they release the most modern design they have with them just right now?
The answer is they are also dependent with the petroleum companies. People can make the cars without any gasoline fuel requirement . But they don't. You can easily imagine and understand what is the reason behind.

Answer 4

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Frankly, you want the auto giants to wake up, you gotta poke 'em in the ribs. Buy an electric car.
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China knows there won't be enough oil for their future growth. So they've been working on EVs like crazy. At the moment, the Chinese have the best EV batteries. And some of these cars will be coming to the US.
Here's one that will be imported next year:
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http://www.milesautomotive.com/products_xs200.html
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It gets 200 miles per charge, goes 80mph, and costs $28500.
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There's also an electric Scion out soon. (Price not announced.) See here:
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http://www.acpropulsion.com/new.htm
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Answer 5

biofuels are mor cost effective, meaning less money to the manufacturers, that's the obvious reason. , but the hidden reason is actually understandable. these flexfuels and biofuels run off of corn right, but we have a limited amount of corn, and if we wanted to become self-reliant on corn-fuel, we would have to plant corn on every piece of open land in the country, and we still might run short. To power the world take so much money to develop, to mantain, and to buy the land for, as well as not having any free space, that providing that as the sole means of fuel is insane.

now I know you weren't suggesting that it be the only fuel, but its happening slowly but surely, more stations are opening up and its taking time to make this change. And now you have E10 ethanol which can run in any car because its a 10 percent mixture of ethanol. We're getting there, but it takes time to reduce dependence.

Answer 6

If we were to abandon gasoline as the way to run our cars, the impact on the economy would be devastating, considering all those who would be put out of work in the oil industry and in local gas stations as well as truck drivers who deliver the fuel. I do not happen to agree that therefore we should stop looking for alternatives, but I am suggesting that that may be the reason why auto makers are "dragging their feet."

Chow!!

Answer 7

everyone, especially the corporate CEO's,
are greedy and want to use everything until there's nothing left of it. Besides, those corporate CEO's are Flippin' rich and don't want their gasoline businesses to go out of... business because of Hydrogen Fuel Cells; and Californians are saying NO to Prop. No.87, which is showing how STUPID California IS. Prop. 87 allows Gasoline Corporations to be TAXED and lowers gas prices. IDIOTS!

Answer 8

The major automakers are not responsible for planning the long term energy needs of our country. The major automakers are responsible for making profits for their shareholders. Automakers make the most profit by selling trucks and SUVs. Americans are still in love with trucks and SUVs. Thus, the major automakers will keep making and selling trucks and SUVs as long as Americans keep buying.

Answer 9

Maybe they are afraid of the future....build cars that won't require gasoline? These cars won't need standard maintenance then, then where do the mechanics go? It's a vicious cycle. Somebody needs to make a break.

Answer 10

M-O-N-E-Y !!

The oil companies spend millions of dollars every year funding campaigns and lobbying politicians to pass laws that benefit them.

It doesn't benefit them to fuel cars with anything other than gasoline right now.