The Future of Fuel

Someone at work was trying to explain to me how it was a good idea to drill for oil in Alaska. The whole of his argument was, "Something has to be done about these gas prices and nobody lives there." Ooo, very compelling.

Almost everyone has come to accept that petrol power is going to be replaced. The questions are when and with what. Nobody knows when. All we know is that the oil companies are going to go down kicking and screaming like rich spoiled brats. With what, then? It won't be electric, solar, or natural gas. Ethanol and bio-diesel will become 'collector' fuels for those hanging on to that vintage Corvette, classic Harley, or restored Volkswagen bus. They are a dedicated lot who are just as addicted to the site and sound of the mechanical workings as they are to the shell in which it sits. These people threw a fit when they had to give up leaded. Whatever fuel replaces gasoline will have to be able to go at least 300 miles at 120 mph. It also has to be able to haul 2 adults, 4 kids, and 10 bags of groceries while towing a fishing boat or a couple of quads. Never mind that people spend most of their driving time alone while stuck in stop and go commuter traffic traveling less than 30 miles at an average speed under 20 mph. We are addicted to the ideas of space, speed, and range. The first companies that can provide that kind of performance at the same or lower price of current petrochemical burning models will dominate the new market. The new fuel may or may not be 'clean' but the average consumer really doesn't give a damn.

Personally I hope we all get jet packs or matter transfer devices. But those are just old grade school dreams. Genetically engineered giant eagles or flying dragons are probably also out of the question. As I have learned from working in maintenance, there is probably something really simple that we're overlooking.