Transport fuels for the post-oil era

The fact that natural oil supplies are not limitless is now widely appreciated, but the debate continues as to what the most likely alternatives might be. This debate applies particularly to transport fuels, since transport is almost totally dependent on oil for its supply of fuel. Recent work at the Open University has indicated that the most likely alternative fuels for road transport, when natural oil is unavailable, are electricity or liquid fuels derived from coal. This article discusses this choice of possible fuels systems for future road transport and points out some unexpected systems effects.