Hypothetically, if vehicle mpg doubled, wouldn't that be the death to oil companies?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveinOlyWA @ Jan 18 2007, 11:20 AM) [snapback]377364[/snapback]</div>

OH NO... not another "The car companies are buying up the 100 mpg carburator patents and then preventing them from coming to market" story.... remember those? Gee, I wonder what happened to all those carburators...

Anyway, there is no conspiracy. Oil companies, like any other company, only do what is economically sensible. If within the lifetime of any investment, the financial return is subpar - it just won't get done. That's really the whole story - there is no massive mystery.

You can see the same thing on the installation of windmills or solar panels... its not just the oil companies... its ANY company (or private citizen)... Without a government subsidy, they just won't put the equipment in - and the reason is simply... the return on investment is inadequate without the subsidy.

What does that mean? Well, with our current technology, the benefits to our society of these technologies do not yet significantly outweigh the costs of those technologies. The word costs here refers to more than just money...

John

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(John in LB @ Jan 18 2007, 11:38 AM) [snapback]377375[/snapback]</div>

If only it were that simple, we'd be in great shape.

Let's take away the subsidies to the oil industry, and see where the chips fall.

Most people haven't a clue what anything costs us as a society. Until that changes, not much else will. People see the price of gas at the pump, and think that's what it costs. If we paid what gasoline useage costs us as a society, plenty would be different, and we'd likely be better off for it. Don't call it a gas tax, call it a carbon tax. Call it "paying what this stuff actually costs." Cheap gas is what keeps us ticking... but at what cost? (and the same as you, I don't mean just the money.)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(John in LB @ Jan 18 2007, 11:38 AM) [snapback]377375[/snapback]</div>

you are 100% correct on that. but if you think oil companies are not current investing HEAVILY in alternative fuel options, you are mistaken. oil companies know full well that their honey pot has a bottom and its coming fast.

 

If the premise of this thread has any logic behind it, then is there little wonder why EVs aren't running aroundin abundance?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Jan 15 2007, 01:30 PM) [snapback]375923[/snapback]</div>

Believe me, the airlines will not increase capacity without first seeing a larger increase in demand. Right now, they are more than content to see mostly full airplanes while overselling seats and bumping revenue passengers when 110 ticketed passengers show up to the 100 seat airplane.

Half full airplanes don't make sense when competition is sharp. Right now, we are seeing more demand than there are ASM's (available seat miles). However, airline executives are being conservative with growth to keep the airplanes full.

You are right on the money however about runway capacity. This country needs more runways to handle the traffic, but most people don't want a runway near them, they only want cheap airfare.


BTW, did you know that when you consider payload and velocity as equally important factors in transportation, that large turbofan jet aircraft are the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the planet? The science is in this link:
http://www.flyingmag.com/article.asp?secti...;article_id=755

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveinOlyWA @ Jan 18 2007, 02:20 PM) [snapback]377364[/snapback]</div>

http://www.shell.com/home/Framework?siteId=rw-br

"In five years, Shell WindEnergy has become one of the largest wind power developers in the world. We have major new projects underway in the USA and are exploring opportunities in China with a leading local energy supplier."

"The Hague, 2nd February, 2006 - Royal Dutch Shell plc provided an update of its activities in alternative energy including Biofuels, Wind, Solar and Hydrogen. Shell has now invested over US$1 billion in alternative energies, making it one of the world’s leading companies in the sector."

"Shell has successfully developed its rural operations over the last five years in Asia. We have established a direct sales, installation and service channel in areas where communities have no or limited access to grid power."
(Must confess I am myself a Shell employee).