When hydrogen and electric cars become popular, will the manual disappear?

A electric motor can have high torque output over a very wide range of rpm, basically from zero to as fast as it can go, so there is no need for a transmission. An internal combustion engine has a torque curve which peaks over a narrow band of rpms, so the transmission is necessary. However, for the Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid which is due in dealer showrooms in late 2010, the small internal combustion engine will operate at constant speed to charge the battery, so there will be no need for a transmission. You can always keep your old car with the manual gearbox and drive it for fun.

Alternative fuels are always pushing the edge of technology. I believe that for the sedan yes manuals will be totally replaced by CVT transmissions. But there will always be muscle cars that will keep the manuals. same for trucks

Logically, just because the combustion engine is replaced by a fuel cell doesn't mean that a gear box won't be needed. The electricity produced by a fuel cell would be converted into mechanical energy that would drive an axel just like any other car. I'm sure that there will still be manuals in your lifetime! :)

i am quite sure that the answer is NO. although, it might be more oil- consuming, the car manufacturers will think of a way to accompany the needs of the manual car drivers like you. honestly, i think there are still a lot of 'manual' lovers out there!

Interesting question. I think it kind of will go away with an all electric car, but not because it's more or less effecient, just because there will be no need. So technically, the automatic will dissapear too. Since electric motors are very high torque you're really limiting the amount of energy you're using, consequently you'll be in "first gear" from 0 to 90, and if you're doing 90, SLOW DOWN FOR SAFETY'S SAKE! :)

In the smallest of gasoline cars--the Geo Metro, for example--there's a nice five-speed that you get to shift to your heart's content. My guess is that something similar will be revived fairly soon, and you'll again have a clutch to worry about.

Experimental electric cars in the 1990's were designed to imitate the engine and transmission of a gasoline car. The automatic shifts and acceleration felt the same as a gas car. Auto manufacturers might build a special series of retro cars with manual transmission and new technology in the engine.

Some Hybrids in other words are both manual and automatic. So they should be. Manuals are easy to drive and many people like them. So the car brand will get more money if they keep the manual and automatic.

they will still be around for sure because not everyone is rich enough to by a hygrogen or electric car. Hybrids are already pretty expensive. u can only imagine how expensive the new ones will be thats unfortunate for mother nature =[