Why are we still using gasoline to power our cars?

Question

If we have the technology available, such as alternate fuel sources, electric cars, and hybrids, then why are we still using gasoline? Why haven't most companies switched to these modes of transportation yet? Link the source if you have one :) Thanks

Answer 1

1. Oil is easy to find and cheap.

2. Oil is easy make into gas/diesel and cheap.

3. There is a very well developed distribution system.

4. We have been using gas/diesel for around 100 years to power our cars and trucks. The technology is well developed and reliable.



Do you really want to pay more for a less reliable product?

Answer 2

Because gasoline and diesel are the most reliable and efficient sources of energy to run automobiles and trucks.



In some cases, (e.g., city buses and delivery vans) it may make some sense to switch to other fuels. But for long-haul vehicles refueling along the way cannot be done by electricity or hydrogen. There isn't an infrastructure in place to accommodate them.

Answer 3

Currently our battery technology is not good enough. I don't see much change in the next 10 years. Possibly in the next 20. You also have to consider that all energy prices are related. Currently gasoline is somewhat expensive. Natural gas and electricity are abnormally low priced compared to oil. If people start using more electricity, and if we can build enough plants to produce the additional electricity, (Democrats have been doing a fine job of preventing the building of new electric plants, including nuclear, NG, and coal), the increased use of electricity will drive up the cost of electricity and natural gas. Wholesale electricity is less than 3 cents per KWH and NG is about $2.60 per million BTU.

Answer 4

It cost too much to convert. Ethanol is not a good alternative because it would take all of the available farmland to produce enough corn to make enough ethanol to supply the demand. Hybrids still use petrol, just not as much. If we all drove electric cars, this would not solve any problematic use of oil.

Answer 5

Well, mostly because it is a natural resource and its easy to sell ...(more profit) the economy is bad so why buy a new car? hybrids are small and are semi automatic so u need to charge it what if you got stranded haha. Well theres not many advertisments out their to save gas... people are being greedy its not like their going to run out whenever i'm alive so why stop using it?

that how most people react they think since it wont run out while their still alive who cares





ps.... i would luv to hear some opions and BUY A HYBRID

Answer 6

Because gas is still relatively cheap and abundant.



People will not switch to other things until it makes economic not ecological sense for them to do so.

Answer 7

We do not have alternatives. Hybrids still use gasoline, electric cars have no range and slowwwwwwwwwww recharge.

Answer 8

some people keep it for the money and some people just don't like change.



-some also don't like the lower power output from electric engines.

Answer 9

I guess because millions of other people have cars that run on gas

Answer 10

because the oil companies have one of the strongest lobbying groups in the country and if gas isnt use they lose billions

Answer 11

It cost $2000.00 to $8000.00 to replace the battery's.

Answer 12

because people are way tooo lazy to design anything else

Answer 13

because some idiots want to make money...