The wheel was invented to transport things more efficiently. The automobile was invented to make travel more efficient. The humble but brilliant wheel is said to have been re-invented many a time, and while the automobile has more or less retained its basic concept, the time has now come for its evolution.
Gradual Change
Cars have, over the years, evolved in terms of the engine, the aerodynamics, and certainly the safety. Air bags were unheard of during the first few generations, and so was a car that went to 0-60 mph in five seconds or less. We have indeed come a long way from Henry Ford’s early designs. The next step, however, may just be a game changer.
The Future Is Electric
Or hybrid, for that matter. The automobile industry has particularly borne the brunt of climate change, with repeated calls to move away from petroleum products. The industry has listened and answered with a new generation of vehicles that do not require a drop of petrol or diesel.
Some may say that the future has already arrived.
Hybrid vehicles have turned out to be the more popular at this moment in time, allowing car owners to switch between the more eco-friendly option of electric power and regular petrol/diesel. This makes it easier for people to continue driving even if the electric charge is running a bit low. They do not have to be overtly bothered about charging their engines, which brings us to electric cars.The one, major concern with an all-out electric automobile is that charging stations can be a bit hard to come by, especially if you decide to go for a long, cross-country drive. Petrol and diesel stations are still the more common sight. There are, however, certain cities that are making a serious effort to provide easy access to charging terminals.
The Other Options
Apart from electric vehicles, there are alternatives that run on compressed natural gas, or CNG, that have become popular in developing economies such as India. Brazil is perhaps the only nation who is free of petroleum as a source of fuel, instead using biochemical agents.