Ethanol is not quite it. Anyone propose a better alternative to gasoline?

Answer 1

electric cars are far better than any form of infernal combustion.
simpler in construction = cheaper maintenance, superior torque characteristics = simpler transmission & better acceleration.
much more enjoyable driving experience quiet, smooth, smell free.
the Tesla, built by Lotus UK, does 0-60 in 4 seconds
http://www.teslamotors.com/index.php?js_enabled=1

electric generators always operate at optimum temperature & load, unlike small car ICE. and are constantly monitored, can run on unrefined fuel close to source - all leading to inceased efficiency.

re-fuel at home or work (tesla recon $3000 of solar pannels would be enough for normal motoring needs) - no need to mess around expensivly converting to hydrogen, which is very difficult to transport (small molecules leak easily), only to convert back to electric in a fuel cell. I can't imagine the powers letting us home-brew hydrogen in our garages & basements. National electric grids already deliver direct to where we park our cars

free parking & re-charging in many cities.

range per charge using current Li-ion battery >250 miles.
Nano technologies promise 40 year battery life & quick re-charge http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20061026005107&newsLang=en

but the like of GM have actually CRUSHED all their evs, see "who killed the electric car"

Answer 2

For convenience in handling, and high energy density, there is no alternative to gasoline or diesel fuel. Compressed natural gas is economic for short trips, but not as easy to handle as liquid fuels. Ethanol has only 2/3 the energy density of gasoline, and is costly to make. Hydrogen is a ***** to handle, and is quite costly to make.

Answer 3

The question is, do we really need an alternative to gasoline?

Currently, it's still easier to increase our fossil fuel efficiency. In terms of pure BTU's, fossil fuel is hard to beat.

Anything biological, from biodiesel to ethanol, has prohibitive costs in terms of arable land and food supply. Anything electrical tends to produce more pollution for less motive energy when you consider the total life cycle of the product (ie maintenance, replacment batteries, etc.)

The answer is, there is no easy answer.

Answer 4

We are using CNG as alternate to gasoline here in Pakistan. But gasoline is more friendly to engine.

Answer 5

Here's what I think:

Build tons of Nuke Power plants. (more people have died, by far, from air pollution, than have died from effects of Nuclear Power plants (0).)

In every town have at least one station that uses the electrical power to convert water to hydrogen and oxygen. Put tanks in cars just like LNG or propane. Keep your current car, just spend $1000 converting it to hydrogen gas.

No pollution. Exhaust is carbon dioxide and water.