How could we run vehicles without oil?

Question

What different (potential) sources of energy are or might be possible? In what ways might they change the nature of transport as we now know it?

Answer 1

Honda are working on it now, they have two hydrogen-making test units in Torrance. One strips hydrogen from water, using electricity collected through solar panels. The other collects hydrogen from natural gas. The car (they use) goes about 190 miles before it needs a hydrogen refill.
Honda estimates that the price of each fill-up could range from less than 5p to 20p a mile depending on the process used.

Honda estimate production will start in 2010 for real!

Answer 2

I watch this documentary on BBC and in India some people were recycling cooking oil by using it as fuel in smaller vehicles.

Perhaps in warmer countries they can make further use of the solar energy too. This holds potential. It is already been used in many areas of the Middle East and other Asian countries for houses with solar plates on the roof, for traffic lights and cars. Hans Tholstrup and Larry Perkins were the first solar car racers who completed a Solar Trek from Perth to Sydney, Australia in 1983.

There are also electric cars now that show some potential for the future too. For example, the Honda models use the electric motor to supplement the gas engine.

Answer 3

Great question. Very smart. Thank you. There are several ways. Electrical power, of course, which we are already using. Solar power for light loads but over long distances (imagine solar trains where the whole top of the train is a solar panel). Methane which is a natural gas can power engines. Magnetic tracks could push/pull a rapid transit system. I think once we stop our silly and shortsighted addicition to oil, which must happen soon, we will discover a great number of options. And think about this: does the world really have to race from place to place to be civilized? Slower movement could mean a more relaxed pace of life for us all. After all, we create the cultures we inhabit.

Answer 4

Hi >
I ventured a previous question about this, concerning the fuels used to generate the electricity to charge up electric/hybrid cars.

As an addendum, what about bio-oils.
Iv'e used what is called "peasil", being peanut oil in an old tractor, and not only does it work fine, the exhaust fumes smell a bit like popcorn
Old veg oil from chippies & take-aways seem to operate fine in a deisel engine, if you are prepared to muck about a bit with collection, filtering etc.

Any alternative to fossil oils has to be a move forwards.
But I still like paraffin lamps during a rural power-cut.

Bob

Answer 5

when the oil runs out, and the gas that comes with it, my main worry will not be about cars, it would be electricity, everything needs electric power, what can run without computers, and if the technology that we think we have is not to the job of replacing oil, then we really are up s **t creek without a paddle.

Answer 6

It is way too early in the morning to solve the world energy crisis. Ask again in 4 to 6 hours.

Answer 7

Bio fuel
Electricity
New water based technology
Hydrogen
it will be cheaper, cleaner, more readily avalible and some cases less dangerous. But it will probably mean an increase in traffic, not a good thing.

Answer 8

You can't run much without lubrication I suppose some PTFE bearings might do it but in the long run you'll need some lubricant even if it is only vegetable based. For power there are several alternatives, electricity, bio fuel, even steam, but to fantasise, gravity distortion. atomic, cold fusion, anti-gravity, super-conductivity.

Answer 9

the place do you think of Hydrogen comes from? Hydrogen needs to be separated from in spite of chemical components it fairly is hooked as much as. you could not locate HYDROGEN for sure in a state the place it fairly is utilized for the chemical reaction. HYDROGEN would desire to be manufacturered and the chemical technique to extract hydrogen is oftentimes VERY potential in intensity. wager the place they are going to be getting the potential to extract all that hydrogen. they're going to be BURNING FOSSIL FUELS, pollution so it merely isn't pollution unfastened. in line with possibility pollution would be localized, yet a processes from pollution unfastened. As to whilst, fairly, the technologies has picked up lots simply by fact gasoline costs are finally attaining a $$$ volume that makes the hydrogen gasoline cellular autos a probable option. i could are anticipating whilst gasoline costs hit $7/gallon it is going to likely be maximum low-priced for human beings to contemplate a hydrogen gasoline cellular vehicle. yet have you ever see the present hydrogen gasoline cellular autos? they are small. lots smaller than something used via gasoline autos. autos of that length with a similar gasoline engine can actually get 50mpg-60mpg. (remember the Geo Metro marketed at 57mpg) i've got faith with goverment backed classes nevertheless, gasoline cellular autos will probably have a wager whilst gasoline reaches $7/gallon.

Answer 10

Brazil do a good job of running their cars on alcohol made from sugar cane.
Also Electric cars are very realistic, but major oil firms are blocking their development.