This lecture takes the form of a review of the drivers on society at large and the vehicle manufacturers in particular with regard to fuel consumption and CO2 output before discussing hydrogen as a means of reducing anthropogenic CO2, together with the not-inconsiderable challenges that this represents. It then discusses synthetic alcohol fuels as a long-term alternative to the hydrogen economy. A novel means of producing alcohols which reduces atmospheric levels of CO2 is also discussed. Finally, the logic of this approach in its ease of implementation is put forward. This is based on the fact that alcohols and gasoline are miscible and can therefore be stored in any proportion in a single fuel tank on board a vehicle. Hence this approach removes the need for any massive specification changes in the existing fuel systems for road vehicles as well as keeping the distribution and supply infrastructure similar to that which is used at the moment with gasoline. In following this path, the need for a step change in funding by any of the major transportation stakeholders – fuel suppliers, vehicle manufacturers or end customer – is therefore avoided.