Why use oil for automobiles?

If civilization were smart they could have built sky train systems (long haul, mid haul, short haul). Then no need for oil. Then no need for automobiles. That means less polution, right?

Of course the sky train systems must be having components equal to the size of the biggest SUVs. Or else, how can people buy things huge and get them to a location? Or else, how can surfers bring there boards? You must think for people's sakes, no?

These sky train systems can fit over all types of roads, to make the transition smoother from the building of such things if civilization were smart. But this civilization is not bright, yes?

Oil happens to be an outstanding lubricant among other things, and a train system would probably end up using just as much to keep everything working properly. Nice idea and all but it could probably benefit from more in-dept thought.

reply to post by Helig


Not only the lubrication, and the use during production of the components, and the use for all the lightweight plastics and carbon fibers, but the oil would also be used significantly to produce the electricity that would drive the maglev trains.

Just like the Hydrogen power fell quickly out of favor, the electric stuff won't be around long either. There is no true savings in fossil fuel or emission. You just move the consumption and pollution from one point to another.

The REAL solution is in conservation of energy! We waste so much energy getting up to speed, then stopping at a red light, then getting up to speed again, then stopping again. Imagine if we could conserve all that inertia, save on the brakes, store the energy, and then put it back to work when it is time to go! There is a real solution! Imagine, even at a 50% conversion of energy, it would DOUBLE gas mileage!

Xploder has a thread in RATS with his idea. His idea is great, my idea from years past is more mechanical in nature, his is more electronic, but this particular idea is the future! Use the fossil fuels to start the vehicle and get it up to speed once, then use hybrid technology, regenerative braking, and inertial banks to conserve all that initial momentum. Only use the fossil fuels to slowly replenish the energy lost through inefficiencies and heat.

Oil for lubrication is vital. Any machine with moving parts requires oil. There is nothing wrong with using oil to lubricate. Just so as long as people properly dispose of it when it needs to be changed. The biggest problem with oil is that we have to burn it for fuel. The oil industry will NEVER disappear because we need Plastics and Lubrication to make newer Generations of Zero Emission Vehicles.

We need oil, we just don't need to burn it.

Why not just run all our engines on water like this man is doing.

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