The auto industry can change rapidly, which can make thinking about the future difficult. A few organizations do try to look far into the future, and the Fuels Institute recently released a study titled "Tomorrow's Vehicles: What Will We Drive in 2023?" This research focused on predicting where the auto industry will be in a decade, specifically with regard to the use of alternative fuels.
Although gasoline vehicles will continue to make up the majority of cars, use of diesel and flexible-fuel power is expected to rise to 7 percent and 9 percent of all cars on the road, respectively. Additionally, natural gas, propane and battery-powered automobiles are all expected to make up a small portion of vehicles on the road.
"On the surface, it may not seem that significant change is occurring, because gasoline and diesel fuel-powered vehicles will continue to dominate the vehicle fleet in 2023, but alternatives are gaining traction," said John Eichberger, executive director of the Fuels Institute. "Consumers appear to be more open to alternatives than ever before, and vehicle manufacturers are offering a wider variety."
One of the obstacles in the way of widespread adoption of alternative vehicles is the expensive upkeep and vehicle maintenance. There may be an auto repair franchise without immediate access to the parts or knowledge needed to make repairs.