BBob:
Natural gas is one 'answer' (not the only one). IMHO, multiple 'answers' are inevitable going forward in the long term. In one sense, it almost a 'less petroleum based liquid fuel' path including higher efficiency use.
WRT NG, the USA already has an extensive natural gas distribution system in place. What is missing are vehicles to use it.
Europe is at least 4 years ahead of the USA in this area. I did a quick google and stuck to GM only. Examples:
dual-fuel gasoline/LPG:
media.opel.com
autoexpress.co.uk
CNG:
media.gm.com
Plus, of course, the high efficiency diesels. Many more examples available.
(Aside: one might guess that a LPG 'glut' might develop from liquids rich shale gas in the USA like it did in the UK from the North Sea fields.)
[Aside:]
If you think Europeans don't like 'performance'? Lol, think again. Europe, Detroit, Japan, Brazil, Korea, Charlotte, SC.... wherever..... 'car guys' are 'car guys'. So having 'performance' go the way of a scooter because of a different fuel just isn't in the cards.
Any 'car guy' reading who does not already know who 'The Stig' is, I recommend looking into the BBC show "Top Gear". They have a pretty good Youtube channel. I simply love their "challenges" (over 100 of them). Humor & 'car guys'.... British style. e.g. a three part challenge with a Corvette, Cadillac and Challenger. IMHO, a great 'conversion' of James May to love the Caddie.
youtube.com
youtube.com
youtube.com
Plus they have 'The Stig'.... youtube.com
Of course, in the UK they call themselves 'petrol heads'....
Ray |
