If an alternative fuel for oil is discovered, who stands to be the most negatively affected?

Question

Automobiles were invented over one hundred years ago. Wouldn't you think, in all that time, someone would come up with a better, cheaper, more environmentally friendly, alternative fuel by now? Are certain people preventing us from learning about them...if they exist? It would be worth a lot to keep us in the dark.

And, yes, I've heard about "vertical farming" of corn or sugar, as opposed to horizontal farming, but it seems pretty odd.

Answer 1

Retirement funds, which are fairly heavily vested in oil companies.

The oil companies would survive as they retooled to move to the new fuel, but their stock prices would take a big hit.

Answer 2

Ultimately, the petroleum exporting countries have the most to lose from a world that finds a viable alternative to oil - especially cheap oil - and makes the invenstment necessary to relise it.