Fuelling expectations: pros and cons of alternatives to petrol cars

Battery EVs are leading the shift but there’s no single successor to the internal combustion engine-expect a mix: BEVs for urban use, hydrogen/fuel cells for long range/heavy duty, and biofuels/e‑fuels to decarbonise the existing fleet. Biodiesel can be carbon‑neutral but is costly and limited; natural gas offers lower emissions and running costs for high‑mileage fleets but has extraction concerns; fuel cells emit no CO2 when using hydrogen but are expensive; batteries are efficient and quieter but face charging infrastructure, range anxiety and battery disposal challenges. Norway shows rapid EV uptake is possible when incentives, infrastructure and acceptance align. https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/energy/2026/01/30/fuelling-expectations-the-pros-and-cons-of-alternatives-to-gas-guzzlers/