Here's something I wrote yesterday but didn't post because the thread wasn't really headed in that direction. Now it is, so it went something like this as I recall:

I think it's pretty certain that the oil companies have a viable, saleable alternative product already developed and ready to market just as soon as they've squeezed every cent of profit out of oil, regardless of the human or environmental cost.

It may not be petrol as we know it, but the cars will continue to run and we, the rats, will continue to run the treadmill for the corporate shareholders, (many of which are us - delicious irony).

The change in fuel will be introduced at the optimum moment for maximum net profit.

That was what I wrote yesterday. Some of the posts above would suggest that I'm being paranoid, but I find it hard to believe that the oil companies have nothing up their collective sleeve. It's just not like them to leave themselves so vulnerable.