EV’s, Hybrids, Petrol, Diesel, What’s Next? CNG?

Gas Fire
Source: Michael Drummond / www.publicdomainpictures.net

Electric cars and hybrids have once again been the focus in the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. Different car companies showcased new technologies and forecasts about the future of present day vehicles. Motorshows are a good indication of what manufacturers see as the more probable vehicles that will be used later on. They are results of not merely guesses but calculated studies about recent trends and developments that seek to unite what consumers want with available resources.

It is interesting to note though that car manufacturers introduce new models that run on alternative fuel, they almost always have a fossil fueled version. This is because they know that majority of the consumers are not yet ready to make that switch. And, they also do not yet have a clear knowledge of what type of fuel will be used in the future.

Two to three years ago, most of the forecasts favor the use of electric, hybrids, fuel celled and ethanol based vehicles. But with the advent of cheaper natural gas brought about by fracking, car manufacturers are again guessing about whether to also introduce vehicles capable of running on compressed natural gas (CNG).

CNG vehicles are not that uncommon. They are used in some buses and delivery trucks. CNG cars also proliferate in countries like Pakistan, Iran, Argentina and Brazil. CNG, another type of fuel, is making an undeniable presence in the automotive world as a possible alternative fuel.

Is there a possibility that one day CNG will also be included in the three versions that car manufacturers usually offer? Who knows? Consumers and available resources are the ones that dictate what type of fuel will be used in running the vehicles in the future. If the consumers will make the demand for CNG and if the resources will continue to be available, then these types of vehicles will be common on roads one day.