Diesel & petrol alternatives? Your thoughts please

So just to round up so far;

If you want to engage with an EV, can charge at home, and are in a position to obtain or take advantage of a new or nearly new car, EVs offer a rounded experience that might fit some (many? but by no means all) solo and towing uses. And they offer some interesting longer term savings into the package that may make up for the initial expense. 

If however, you can't charge at home, are not looking to take on the expense of a new or nearly new car, or have some other (equally valid) reason for not wanting to move away from petrol or diesel, hanging onto an ICE car or taking on a new one (in whatever form) is still entirely viable and a totally valid option that many (indeed most) folks will want to go for. 

Just for balance (as this is about all diesel and petrol alternatives) hydrogen (fuel cell or Hydrogen ICE) today is a non-starter (especially for towing, but also in general), as there is almost zero infrastructure and no cars to speak of. 

LPG is still only (AFAIK) a retro-fit option, so only really valid for older petrol cars (out of warranty) and as a cost saving exercise. 

Rubber band cars are still not a thing, and the Flintstones foot powered solution only really works up to about the age of 5. 

What else is out there?

I'm not even sure about the viability of LPG powered cars now in view of the number of pumps disappearing off forecourts, ChocT. You’ve described how hydrogen is an unlikely option and we know the supply of diesel/petrol powered vehicles is dwindling and, as we stand now, due to disappear altogether in a few years. I guess that leaves EVs well in the frame for the future.

Theres no doubt that charging will be an issue for many unless infrastructure is provided and I think we are likely to see huge steps forward in both this and battery technology in coming years. I’m no expert, mind!

Like you - I feel pretty positive around this. The roll-out of chargers is all about money and process rather than technology, and the good news is that Shell and BP have both identified that charging is now a profitable business for them. It's that magic commercial angle that will make things grow. 

On the batteries front, there are two parts, 1) the commercials around todays technologies and chemistries which are improving with scale and 2) the development of new tech and chemistries that will bring faster charging, improved energy density and longer ranges. 

StoreDot, are a development company (the same people behind the SanDisk thumb drives) who are working on a silicon based battery capable of being charged by about 100 miles (35 to 50 kWh) in 5 minutes, and have demonstrated their battery at small scale. 

And Nio (a Chinese car company under the same banner, Geely, who own Volvo, Polestar and the LEVC) are planning to bring battery swap locations to Europe with their brand. 

I am a bit sceptical about battery swap models, but you have to say - it sounds very attractive for towing. 

Lots to be excited about.