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All those hydrogen technologies are energy *carriers* not sources. And not very efficient either (except in very large quantities like for the Shuttle). Very much electric energy must be used to break down water (electrolysis) into hydrogen and oxygen... and this energy will come from more nuclear ? coal ? Wind and solar are OK, but quite 'diluted' and not in the huge currently used amounts. Hydrogen can also be made from natural gas (methane) but also with losses in process.

Coal, tar sands and other inferior fossil fuels also accelerate Global warming. Although I've read debate in green circles that the GW problem is overrated, a sort of 'acceptable front' to get the same actions needed for Peak Oil, which is the real problems. They said:
"The only thing worse than Peak Oil is NO Peak Oil".

Still I marvel at the pre-oil, proto-industrial society that made the Silbermann organs, Pleyel pianos and other marvels ... If they made music then (and what music !) then there will be hope after oil too ;-)

Dear fellow Americans, Here is a glimpse of what our future transportation will look like!.

Although you may chuckle a bit now, if oil rises to over $200/barrel as projected, you may want to place your order now!.

Sure, you'll arrive to work a bit late everyday with bugs in your teeth but driving a super energy efficient vehichle will make you an instant chick magnet. (Just don't go on any dates on rainy days ).

If Only....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9iWaCMbw60

My question is, the car runs on gas or water....why??? If water worked, why would you ever purchase gasoline again?

Back in around 1994-95, I saw on TV, Discovery or TLC I believe, about A21 fuel invented by Rudolf Gunnerman. It was tested for a few million miles in commercial trucks, and the results were impressive. Nevada was nearly ready to have A21 pumps at gas stations. Then all of a sudden, A21 disappeared. Wonder who bought the patent and buried it.

Hilarious! How old is this moped? Do they even exist anymore?

Here's my politically incorrect Gelandewagen. It's 15.9 mpg on a good day, about $100 to fill the tank with premium. I love it, it can go up a wall, or go through it ( which ever way you choose).
I'm speeding up progress by oil consumption, therefore forcing technology to be more efficient. :p

Diesel fuel used to be around 20% cheaper than Petrol (Gas) here until diesel engined cars with increased fuel economy became popular, then to make up for the loss of tax revenue the government made Diesel slightly more expensive than Petrol so that although you got more M.P.G. you still paid he same amount of tax. My wife's car is a French Peugeot 307 Turbo Diesel from which she gets up to 65 mpg, that's Imperial Gallons. There are other advantages of having a diesel engine, i.e., no problems with damp ignition (drive through floods), less likely to get fried if involved in a collision, less/easier maintenance and the engines last a lot longer too.

Excellent excuse Polostrings. I'll have to remember that one.

Here's my current contribution to your cause.



Chris

We can complain all we want, but the bottom line is prices will continue to rise because it isnt stopping anyone from doing what they normally do. Roads are still packed with cars 24/7, airline traffic still strong, they have NO reason to drop prices. SUV sales are down a tad, no biggie.
I feel bad for truckers. I saw on the news a bunch of interviews with some and they said it costs them over a grand to fill their tanks, they barely make any money and are pretty mad. I heard if they stop delivering for a week it would cause a crisis. They should be threatening to do this more.

Yes - it happened here in 2000
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_fuel_protest

Our local bus agency has three fuel cell buses, and there are a number of fuel cell cars that their supervisors use. The problem is the same problem as using food oils for fuel: There is not enough of the materials needed for them to support the lifestyle people have gotten used to in the past century.

These are all methods of making energy portable. There is only one energy source: the creation of the universe. That led to the creation of suns, which became supernovae, which is the stuff we are made of. Just about all of our energy comes from the fusion furnace we call the sun. Petroleum and other fossil fuels are the energy from the sun from hundreds of millions of years past, trapped by plants and compressed by the ages into a compact fuel. That is also an expensive way of making energy portable, but we have not factored in the value of the thousands of years it took for the conversion to occur.

The current high prices are nature's way of telling us we have been wasting its gifts. (If you believe in a supreme being, the current high prices are its way of telling us we have been wasting its gifts.) We have been living lives of unimaginable luxury, so that our children will not have to in the future.

OOPS!

I like that statement a lot. I'm going to use it.

Thanks

Polostrings:

The moped pictured is a mid 70's model. There are several companies that still make them and they can be purchased new starting in the $700-ish range.

They were never meant to be an only source of transportation for obvious reasons and limitations but they do fill the missing link found somewhere between a bicycle and a motorcycle.

I grew up in Connecticut and spent many summers in Block Island R.I. Mopeds WERE the primary source of transportation since the island is so small (7 miles long, 3 miles wide) and they can go up to 25-30 mph.

At 80-100 mpg, they are insanely efficient and also fun to drive if just putsing around for a few miles. I would think that they would be great for sightseeing in Hawaii.

Late Beginner,

Isn't your car the car in the commercial where the guy is hugging his car, and it hugs him back? Like that one..

Mr. SH,
Hawaii is too spread out for mopeds. A Harley, or convertible would be better. Funny they are still around. I know scooters are used often in parts of Europe.

How about this as an alternative mode of transportation? zap sedan You just can't go very far or fast.

originally posted by polostrings:
When I visit France I see those pedal type mopeds everywhere, they're very popular.

The Zap car should have coffin handles on the side. Because you will surely die in it, if you drive it in the USA...

You beat me to it :p Not only would you save on fuel cost, you would also save on the cost of a casket, it's just the right size.

Anybody have any answers?

Regards, JF