Katerina Swanson
Fossil fuels are a finite resource and their use is causing irreversible damage to the planet. As such, it is imperative that we find alternative sources of energy to power our transport systems. This is a complex challenge, as transport systems are deeply embedded in our societies and economies, and there are many factors to consider when transitioning to new energy sources.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Electric vehicles | Electric vehicles are a solution for replacing oil, but they are not perfect for all uses. Electric motors are more efficient than internal combustion engines and electric vehicles are simpler mechanically. |
| Renewable energy | Renewable energy is more sustainable than fossil fuels, as there is a finite amount of fossil fuels in the earth’s crust. Renewable technology costs are lower than ever. |
| Energy density | Fossil fuels have a higher energy density than electric batteries, but electric motors are more efficient than internal combustion engines. |
| Cost of renewable technology | Renewable technology costs are lower than ever. |
| Integration of power, heating, cooling and transport sectors | Effective integration of the power, heating, cooling and transport sectors will be key to building a renewable energy-fuelled world. |
| Economic dependence on fossil fuels | Ending economic dependence on fossil fuels is a work in progress. |
| Transition to renewable energy economy | The transition to a renewable energy economy will require multiple levels of change over time. |
| Lithium batteries | Even if we made the switch entirely to electric cars, we would likely still need hydrocarbon fuels to mine lithium for the batteries. |
| Hydrocarbon fuels | Hydrocarbon fuels are needed to run machines with longer lifetimes than cars, such as airplanes and ocean-going vessels. |
| Accessibility of renewable energy | Over a billion people worldwide lack access to electricity, perpetuating our collective reliance on fossil fuels. |
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What You'll Learn
Electric vehicles
The first mass-produced electric vehicles appeared in America in the early 1900s. In 1902, the Studebaker Automobile Company entered the automotive business with electric vehicles, though it also entered the gasoline vehicles market in 1904. However, with the advent of cheap assembly line cars by Ford Motor Company, the popularity of electric cars declined significantly. Due to a lack of electricity grids and the limitations of storage batteries at that time, electric cars did not gain much popularity; however, electric trains gained immense popularity due to their economies and achievable speeds. By the 20th century, electric rail transport became commonplace due to advances in the development of electric locomotives.
Over time, their general-purpose commercial use reduced to specialist roles as platform trucks, forklift trucks, ambulances, tow tractors, and urban delivery vehicles, such as the iconic British milk float. During the late 20th and early 21st century, the environmental impact of the petroleum-based transportation infrastructure, along with the fear of peak oil, led to renewed interest in electric transportation infrastructure. EVs differ from fossil fuel-powered vehicles in that the electricity they consume can be generated from a wide range of sources, including fossil fuels, nuclear power, and renewables such as solar power and wind power, or any combination of those.
Recent advancements in battery technology and charging infrastructure have addressed many of the earlier barriers to EV adoption, making electric vehicles a more viable option for a wider range of consumers. Renewable technology costs are lower than ever, and digitalization can facilitate smoother integration of the power, heating, cooling and transport sectors. Effective integration will be key to building a renewable energy-fuelled world, but the possibility is within reach.
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Renewable energy sources
Electric vehicles are a much-touted solution for replacing oil, but they are not perfect for all uses. Electric motors are more efficient than internal combustion engines, and electric vehicles are simpler mechanically, with fewer moving parts. However, pound for pound, gasoline or diesel fuel contains about 40 times as much energy as a state-of-the-art battery. This means that an electric vehicle will be heavier than a similar vehicle running on fossil fuel.
Even if we made the switch entirely to electric cars, we would likely still need hydrocarbon fuels to mine lithium for the batteries and to run machines with longer lifetimes than cars, such as airplanes and ocean-going vessels.
One possible solution is to substitute all fossil fuels with electrofuels. This would require a huge amount of electricity (1540 EJ) but is technically obtainable, demanding 1.1% of the Earth's surface for solar panels. Another option is to substitute all fossil fuels with bioenergy. However, this would require radical energy demand reductions, as the sustainable technical potential for biomass cannot alone substitute all fossil fuels.
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Integration of power, heating, cooling and transport sectors
The transition to a renewable energy economy will require multiple levels of change over time. The integration of power, heating, cooling and transport sectors will be key to building a renewable energy-fuelled world.
Electric vehicles are a much-touted solution for replacing oil, but they are not perfect for all uses. Pound for pound, gasoline or diesel fuel contains about 40 times as much energy as a state-of-the-art battery. However, electric motors are much more efficient than internal combustion engines and electric vehicles are simpler mechanically, with many fewer moving parts. These advantages make up for some of the battery’s weight penalty, but an electric vehicle will still be heavier than a similar vehicle running on fossil fuel.
Even if we made the switch entirely to electric cars, we would likely still need hydrocarbon fuels to mine lithium for the batteries and to run machines with longer lifetimes than cars, such as airplanes and ocean-going vessels.
Renewable technology costs are lower than ever, and digitalization can facilitate smoother integration of the power, heating, cooling and transport sectors. Effective integration will be key to building a renewable energy-fuelled world, but the possibility is within reach.
The electricity demand, if substituting all fossil fuels with electrofuels, is huge (1540 EJ) but technically obtainable, demanding 1.1% of the Earth's surface, for solar panels, in the most optimistic case.
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The finite nature of fossil fuels
Fossil fuels are finite. They are made from ancient biological matter that has been contained in a pressurised environment for hundreds of thousands of years. This is not a process that can be recreated quickly, so we will run out, and soon.
The energy density of fossil fuels is particularly important in the transportation sector. Vehicles need to carry their fuel around as they travel, so the weight and volume of that fuel are key. Electric vehicles are a much-touted solution for replacing oil, but they are not perfect for all uses. Pound for pound, gasoline or diesel fuel contains about 40 times as much energy as a state-of-the-art battery. However, electric motors are much more efficient than internal combustion engines, and electric vehicles are simpler mechanically, with many fewer moving parts. These advantages make up for some of the battery’s weight penalty, but an electric vehicle will still be heavier than a similar vehicle running on fossil fuel.
Renewable technology costs are lower than ever, and digitalization can facilitate smoother integration of the power, heating, cooling and transport sectors. Effective integration will be key to building a renewable energy-fuelled world, but the possibility is within reach. Renewable energy is certainly more sustainable than fossil fuels.
However, even if we made the switch entirely to electric cars, we would likely still need hydrocarbon fuels to mine lithium for the batteries and to run machines with longer lifetimes than cars, such as aeroplanes and ocean-going vessels.
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Electrofuels
The process to make eFuels starts with green hydrogen, which is made using an electrolyser powered with renewable energy to turn water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen is then combined with recycled carbon dioxide to produce eMethanol, which can be used to make a range of renewable fuels, including SAF, gasoline and diesel alternatives.
The electricity demand for substituting all fossil fuels with electrofuels is huge, but technically obtainable. It would require 1.1% of the Earth's surface to be covered in solar panels, for example.
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Frequently asked questions
Renewable energy sources can replace fossil fuels. Renewable technology costs are lower than ever, and digitalization can facilitate smoother integration of the power, heating, cooling and transport sectors.
Fossil fuels are made from ancient biological matter that has been contained in a pressurized environment for hundreds of thousands of years. This is not a process we can recreate quickly, which means we will run out soon. Renewable energy is more sustainable than fossil fuels.
Electric vehicles are a much-touted solution for replacing oil, but they are not perfect for all uses. Pound for pound, gasoline or diesel fuel contains about 40 times as much energy as a state-of-the-art battery. Even if we made the switch entirely to electric cars, we would likely still need hydrocarbon fuels to mine lithium for the batteries and to run machines with longer lifetimes than cars, such as airplanes and ocean-going vessels.
