That's right Graham.
"At the moment the cost of petrol derived from syncrude is higher than that of petrol from natural oil, but countries with an abundant supply of coal close to the surface could probably become competitive in the near future. In South Africa the so-called SASOL plant using the Fisher–Tropsch synthesis claims to be only twice as expensive as the present production price of petrol".
If it can be made to be environmentally friendly alternative then why ever not.
Brings a whole new meaning to steampunk
