Hybrid/Electric cars?

Question

It's been promised that by the year 2000, most cars would use other sources of energy than gas and oil. THis was not true, but slowly it is happening. The technology is here, but the demand is not as high as it should be yet, but once more nad more people start buying cars which use little or no gas, what will happen to the wealth and power of arabic countries who rely on oil exports. I think it will decrease terrorism, but increase wars BETWEEN arabic countries. WIll the effect be positive or negative?

Answer 1

the effect will be great environmentalwise

oh well then arabian countries will become poor
they should find something else to make money off of

the sake of their economy is not as great as the destruction of the environment

(in my opinion) :)

Answer 2

Demand is not the issue, when polled most people want to drive a more energy efficient car. But, the catch is the supply and the cost.

Not to mention that hybrids, while more fuel efficient have environmental impacts also. The making and disposal of their batteries is a long term issue that has not been fully addressed.

I believe Hydrogen fuel cells are the answer. Their are some draw backs on those as well, but at the end of the day they will be the winner.

Answer 3

Complex question - There will definitely be a shift in world politics in coming decades. Right now our foreign policy is centered on keeping the oil flowing at all costs, because we would have no economy without it. The entire world would be in a long-term depression without oil. And, America drives the entire global economy. Could be, when the oil wealth stops flowing and the sand country economies return to nomads and tribes, they will blame us for their backwardness and redouble their efforts at terrorism against us. Could be, in 50 years, the oil countries and China will basically own America. Depends on what they do with the money they are making off of us.

PS - we don't have to end the use of petroleum to precipitate a change in world politics, we just have to reduce it.

Answer 4

I think that you are right in that it will decrease terrorism, at least terrorism against western countries, because we won't have to have armies over there safe guarding our oil supplies. It will probably increase in-fighting inside Arab oil states because for years the governments of these oil producing nations have supported their population with all kinds of social welfare programs that would make any Democrat jealous! Once these people don't have a super rich government to take care of them anymore, they'll most likely rebel and try to over throw the current leaders. Iran and Saudi Arabia come to mind.

Unfortunately I think we're still a ways from having most of our vehicles on the road not using oil, but other forms of energy. But I hope for the best!

Answer 5

I agree with the previous answer - good for the environment.
Interestingly, Dubai is already working hard to get ready for the end of oil, which may come before everyone has an alternative. They are building islands in the shape of the world's continents and selling off pieces, "countries" of each. I heard that Angelina Jolie bought "Ethiopia". The goal for Dubai is tourism - I'm hoping the other countries can find their own niches as well.

Answer 6

Who cares about those idiot camel jockeys? None of them EVER knew how to live as peaceful, civilized human beings. Take their money away, and they won't be a threat to the rest of us any more. They've known for decades that their oil wouldn't last forever; if they frittered it all away on guns and bombs, I'd say that's nothing more or less than simple justice. Going green can be NOTHING but positive in the long run.

Answer 7

There is a tremendous profit for the oil industry right now. Electric cars would only cut into the profits of GM as well. The mass production of fuel efficent cars/electric cars will not happen until there is little or no profit left in oil.

Answer 8

If we have a war that kills 3 to 4 billion there will not be a problem.