In most countries, oil is the main fuel source used for transportation. However, this use has lead to a dependence on imported and expensive oil for many countries around the globe, and with oil supplies in decline the move to more renewable and sustainable resources is essential. Oil prices have been fluctuating for decades, and in recent years have risen steeply with prices expected to continue fluctuating, especially due to the fact that the vast quantity of reserves are in politically volatile areas, such as Iran and Iraq. These future increases will particularly adversely impact low income households ‘for who transport accounts for a higher proportional share of household income.’ [1]. Oil discovery has also decreased, with more oil currently being produced than discovered. Recent oil field discoveries such as in the Gulf of Mexico are only a fraction of the volume of previously found locations in the middle east.
Peak oil, a theory widely popularised by US geologist M.K. Hubbert, is ‘…the point in time when oil production reaches its maximum annual rate, after which the annual production rate declines each year.’ [2]. Many geology and supply experts predict that the worldwide peak in oil has either occurred, or will happen in the next few years. Since oil is a finite resource, a move to renewable or sustainable fuel sources is essential, especially ones with a lower carbon content than oil. However, over time society has become so dependant on oil that many alternatives are in their early stages, and need more research and funding to make them competitive with petroleum products.
One major issue that needs to be addressed in the move from oil to more sustainable fuels is consumer preferences. Information detailing the available and soon to be available alternatives is essential, as a lack of information can lead to market failures, which ‘can be caused by insufficient and incorrect information’ [3]. Confusion and doubt over the reliability and costs of new fuels and technologies can lead to public distrust and unwillingness to convert to them, while many consumers are also unaware that options for more fuel efficient cars exist, or even that different vehicles emit different levels of pollutants. Both education and information are essential to help facilitate a move to new technologies and fuels. Try Energy Saving Warehouse’s Lesto Survey to learn about new technologies
Maturity and reliability of fuel sources and technologies is another issue to be addressed. For instance, hydrogen is the most abundant element in the the universe and can be separated for use in fuel cells from other elements by one of three processes: thermal, electrolytic or photolytic [4]. While photolytic processes are still under development, both thermal and electrolytic processes are available commercially. However, costs are still high, and often fossil fuels are required as the input energy for the separation process. There are also some major barriers to the use of hydrogen fuel cells, such as the storage of hydrogen, transport infrastructure, refuelling facilities and cost [5]. While hydrogen fuel cells will likely be a part of the transport sector in the future, there needs to be currently available bridging technologies or fuels to help facilitate the current move from oil.
Infrastructure must also be considered when looking at alternative fuels or technologies: will current engines need to be modified? Are there appropriate transportation and fuel storage facilities? How will recharging stations work? The market for electric cars is steadily growing, however ‘EV charging both in the home and in the public realm is an area that requires careful consideration with regards to regulation’ [6]. Governments and private investors must be willing to invest in the high capital costs that this change in infrastructure will bring about.
Other major issues include the cost of the technologies or fuels, which would be expected to become competitive with oil, or even cheaper, as oil stocks decline and the price rises. Regulatory issues also need to be examined, specifically governments roles in supporting alternative fuels or technologies, such as through subsidies, tax breaks or a range of other policy options, such as to: ‘Implement mandatory fuel economy standards and/or low and zero emission vehicle requirements’ and to ‘Ensure building codes for new or renovated sites (residential, commercial, industrial) to support EVs by requiring dedicated electrical capacity and parking spaces’ [7].
Finally, one highly divisive point in the debate over biofuels is the use of food crops for transport fuel, especially in developing countries where food shortages are already a very serious problem. While using crops instead of fossil fuels reduces emissions during the driving phase, a careful balance needs to be maintained to ensure that crops grown as biofuels are not diverted from those who need it most. Resource availability can vary widely from location to location, with some geographic regions ideally suited to growing large volumes of crops, while other regions may be unable to sustain the growth needed to produce sufficient quantities of fuel. A large amount of water is required to grow biological feedstock, with present volumes seen as unsustainable to increase production of crops. It has been estimated that growing corn as a biofuel results in the equivalent input of 283 gallons of water per mile driven in a car, compared to 0.17 gallons for grain, and only 0.04 for petroleum [8]. Hot and dry regions such as Africa, Southeast Asia and Australia simply do not have the water resources to produce the required volumes of crops to become a viable alternative to oil, though future scientific advances in irrigation and farming practices may help to reduce water requirements.
While there are a range of issues that must be addressed when considering a move from oil, the move is necessary for the long term sustainability of the transport sector, and to reduce carbon emissions and fossil fuel use on a global level. Many transport alternatives such as biofuels and hydrogen fuel cells have great potential, but require more time, money and research to be competitive with oil
References
[1] + [2] CSIRO. 2008. Fuel for Thought- The future of transport fuels: challenges and opportunities. http://www.csiro.au/files/files/plm4.pdf
[3] Dunstan, C., Usher, J., Ross, K., Christie, L., Paevere, P. (2011). Supporting Electric Vehicle Adoption in Australia: Barriers and Policy Solutions (An Electric Driveway Project Report). Prepared for Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), by the Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS: Sydney. Page 3.
[4] + [5] U.S. Department of Energy. 2005. Hydrogen and Our Energy Future.http://www.hydrogen.energy.gov
[6] + [7] Dunstan, C., Usher, J., Ross, K., Christie, L., Paevere, P. (2011). Supporting Electric Vehicle Adoption in Australia: Barriers and Policy Solutions (An Electric Driveway Project Report). Prepared for Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), by the Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS: Sydney. Pages 20 + 56.
[8] Biofuel.org.uk. Disadvantages of Biofuels – Water. 2010. http://biofuel.org.uk/water.html
