* Steam: Early automobiles were often steam-powered, using boilers to generate steam that drove pistons. This was bulky, slow to start, and inefficient.
* Electricity: Electric cars existed in the early days of the automobile, but their range was severely limited by battery technology.
* Ethanol: Various forms of alcohol, including ethanol (often made from fermented grains), were used as fuel.
* Kerosene: This was a common fuel in early internal combustion engines, though it wasn't ideal and presented some problems.
It's important to note that gasoline's rise to dominance wasn't a sudden switch. These other fuel types were used concurrently for a period of time before gasoline's superior performance and readily available supply led to its widespread adoption.
