**4.1 Automobiles**

As oil becomes more scarce, gas powered, hybrid, and fully electric vehicles are expected to gain popularity. Fully electric vehicles, which have been confined to special applications, are now moving on to everyday use. It is expected that conventional automobiles will be largely replaced by hybrid and fully electric vehicles. These may be rechargeable from distant power stations (figure 3). Owing to the inherent difficulties with electric vehicles, compared to oilpowered vehicles, the number of automobiles is expected to decline over future decades.
