Ethanol?

[shepd]

If you want to convert for environmental reasons (it isn't likely you'd do it to save money) I recommend an LPG or CNG conversion, whichever is more available in your area. You will usually save money on the fuel (Even after factoring the lower BTU level of it) AND it is cleaner burning than both ethanol and gasoline (and diesel, not that that is a conversion choice, more a new engine choice). Many factories have LP forklifts running indoors all day (Don't try this with your car, though!).

Electric power will be the eventual winner, however, a faster charging format OR battery swap system needs to exist to make it practical. A long distance driver is not going to want to spend money on eating dinner or having a LONG coffee break every 3-4 hours (Well, I don't want to). However, unless the world invests heavily in nuclear energy, you will not save anything. The grid is already heavily loaded in most areas, and electric cars drawing 20 kW all night is just going to kill off time-of-use pricing, which will then kill off the interest of charging anytime except "now".

Solar power at home will need to be WAY more efficient, or homes far larger (and people will need to stop being interested in condos) if anyone really believes solar cars are going to be reasonable. By solar cars I mean electric cars which are charged on solar power exclusively. Let's not forget that many areas don't even get enough solar power for 1/2 of the year to be reasonably useful without a massive FIELD of solar panels per car.

What I believe will really end up existing is a merging of self-driving vehicles and electric cars. Basically a mini-bus that roams around picking up passengers (who have already informed the system of their exact destination via phone, like with uber). The backend will be smart enough to have the bus pick up people along the route it is already headed on and choose passengers that will be dropped off somewhere that it's already going, thus dramatically increasing efficiency and making customers happy (short, efficient trip times). This will likely replace taxis, city buses, and probably subways/street cars, and will be far cheaper. Probably will kill off all public transport and make it private (which will bring it the respect it needs to get more customers). Overall, fewer cars will be sold, but I'm OK with that.

Cities like mine that are too stupid to realize that what I'm talking about is going to happen within our lifetimes are investing heavily into public transit infrastructure that will be obsoleted in a few decades. Oh well. I guess it's just other people's money so it's OK, right? :(

The dumbest argument that I hear about electric cars is that it will kill off the need for mechanics. It has to be the most idiotic thing I've ever heard. The only thing that will likely require less servicing is the engine + exhaust, and of course there's no transmission. I have *never*, in 15 years of ownership, required serious engine service (just lube jobs, and mechanics don't do those, high school lube jockeys do them). And I have grenaded one transmission in a shitbox that went straight to the junkyard because it wasn't worth fixing. Everything else has been suspension related, steering related, electrical, body, brakes, tires, drivetrain, alignment, etc, related. That's PLENTY of work for 90% of mechanics to keep their jobs. And most mechanics would like to stop having to pull engines out of cars, or change clutches, or do transmission service. Those jobs can suck even if they do pay well enough. The rest are sorta gravy work. :)