During my post graduation days in Germany, I have heard that alternative fuel (fuel cell, battery) will be the future in automotive and industrial application and that it is the sector to invest as well as to work in. However, I had a different opinion, for two reasons.
First, the traditional (gas and diesel) engines along with oil extraction methods have been regularly optimized with large investments (upfront or later like in case of VW) to meet emissions levels as well as needs of price sensitive consumers. Given the availability of fossil fuel, technology and reasonable cost structure, there will be less motivation for the OEMs to change the gears and adapt alternative fuel. My favorite sentence used to be that car manufacturers’ will hang-in there with their diesel engines till the last drop is burnt, to leverage what is available.
Secondly, there used to be very less information how production and disposal of alternative fuel impact our environment. Still looking for information in layman’s terms.
However, disruptors like Tesla and its Giga factories, have forced the traditional automotive and engine OEMs to adapt alternative technologies and that too in a super fast modus.
On one hand I really hope that new trend of electrification and fuel cells has an positive impact our environment. On the other hand, I believe that there are several other factors which contribute towards environmental pollution and our greed is the initiator, hence it will be a shame and surprising if all OEMs give up on diesel, as long as it is available at current cost levels and there are technologies which makes it cleaner.
Food for thought regarding greed: We all can contribute to well being of our environment by consuming less……smaller cars, less packaging, not wasting food and water. Remember: No Pain – No Gain