Hey Pelican Futurists! What will power cars in 2050?

[Jim Richards]

What fuel and/or technology will propel our cars by the middle of the 21st Century? Also, why do you think so?

The poll should allow more than 1 choice.

[cashflyer]

By 2050, we will have learned to harness the heat energy of political hot-air.
This endless source of energy will be used to power cars as well as the national power grid.

[john70t]

There is a lot of wasted resources, and a lot of emerging technologies:
-Methane from sewage, animal production, garbage, wood pulp, etc. is currently not collected and just goes up into the air.
-Garbage can be incinerated and turned into electricity.
-Converting waste plastic mass into useable fuel oils is possible.
-Organic algae biodiesel can be created from numerous sources.

These renewable resources will not replace petroleum as the primary USA fuel source immediately, perhaps a hundred years or more, but will gain a market share for short-distance support vehicles and equipment.

Until a USA nationwide government infrastructure program is enacted again, those built in the 1950's will continue with a monopoly, supported by social ideological resistance. Meanwhile, other countries will plan ahead.

[FLYGEEZER]

Good chance by 2050 it won't matter. Might not be any people left to drive.

[sammyg2]

I predict nothing.
At the rate we're going we'll be back to the stone age by then.

[wdfifteen]

gas/oil, CNG, and hybrid

[mreid]

Matter/antimatter reactor controlled by a dilithium crystal magnetic field. I read the specs somewhere.

[genrex]

Twenty years ago (1993), then-current information indicated that the known world supply of oil would be exhausted by 2020.... i.e. the known world supply of oil, divided by the yearly rate of consumption (at that time), meant all of the oil would be gone by 2020.

There have been new discoveries of oil since 1993 that will keep us going for a while longer, but unfortunately oil consumption in all countries has increased dramatically since then, so by mid-century it's doubtful there will be enough oil left to use for something mundane like transportation.

_

[cashflyer]

Isn't the tokamak supposed to give us fusion, and in turn limitless, nearly free energy?
Just use that.

[vash]

2050..we will be walking..and searching for fire.

[Jim Richards]

Ouch.

[Scott R]

By 2050 everyone will be on these:

[vash]

jeezus!! all three people in that photo..all FAT!

good lord.

[gtc]

Recycled snow tires.

[gtc]

Originally Posted by Scott R

By 2050 everyone will be on these:

I'm pretty sure that's a scene from the movie WALL-E.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Scott R

By 2050 everyone will be on these:

NASCAR of the future!!!!

I vote hydrogen fuel cell. The technology already exists to provide a "real car" experience, with the only byproduct being water. It's the most abundant element on the planet by far, contrast that with many other technologies (hybrid, electric, propane) that rely on another natural resource for their energy. The technology needs to be made economically feasible, and obviously a significant infrastructure investment would be required to provide hydrogen fueling stations around the country.

Good reading on the Honda FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell car here: Honda FCX Clarity Overview - Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle - Site

[Aragorn]

Hydrogen fuel cells seem to be an avenue that most manufacturers are going.

My simple understanding of the concept is: an electric current is introduced to water; Hydrogen and oxygen are the byproducts; each are captured separately; a vehicle has two separate tanks, one oxygen and one hydrogen; the two are combined and produce energy and water. The energy produced does not provide the kick (hp) of gasoline but is good enough.

This seems to be a good formula for storing the energy from the sun. Solar powered "refineries" convert the energy from the sun into electricity which produces "fuel." The fuel is stored and then expelled as energy and water. Seems like a viable future renewable energy source.

By the way, I remember reading about a car from India that runs on compressed air.

[kaisen]

Aragorn, hydrogen fuel cells take oxygen from the atmosphere, not a tank

"Oxidizing" hydrogen through a membrane creates electricity to power an electric motor in an electric car -- taking the place of a battery

[Scott R]

Originally Posted by kaisen

Aragorn, hydrogen fuel cells take oxygen from the atmosphere, not a tank

"Oxidizing" hydrogen through a membrane creates electricity to power an electric motor in an electric car -- taking the place of a battery

Ford has that 2.3l that runs on hydrogen combustion., there is also a bus company that has a bus that does.

[Aragorn]

Originally Posted by kaisen

Aragorn, hydrogen fuel cells take oxygen from the atmosphere, not a tank

"Oxidizing" hydrogen through a membrane creates electricity to power an electric motor in an electric car -- taking the place of a battery

Thanks for the clarification. I remember hearing the membrane was the hardest part of the whole equation. Something about current designs having short life spans and low efficiency.

I like its potential.