Looking at the short-to-medium term, examples are given to illustrate the use of computer simulation and instrumented cars to identify and evaluate potential energy conservation measures. For the longer term, when natural crude oil becomes scarce and expensive, the paper compares vehicles using synthetic gasoline from coal and battery vehicles, and examines the factors needed to give a primary energy advantage to one type of vehicle over the other. However, other considerations need to be assessed and it is suggested that the main need now is to continue the research and initial development needed to keep both options open. (author/publisher) this paper was presented at the fourth international symposium on automotive propulsion systems, held in Washington, D.C., 17-22 April 1977.
Abstract