Srila Prabhupada many times referred to modern society as a "nonsense motorcar civilization". He predicted very accurately the impending collapse of such a system and cultivated among his disciples the importance of simple living, staying on the land, and phasing out the use of petrol.
In the construction of the Vedic Eco Village model, a future without petrol is assumed and factored in to our building practices. It is not from a moral high ground, an idealistic sentiment, or an austerity angle that this choice is made. It is simply training ourselves for reality, and not planning our lives around a future that does not exist.
Today's "fuel crisis" is a late stage symptom of the collapse of this system. The globally implemented "sustainable development goals" include and depend on the phasing out of petrol. Inflation makes it unaffordable, social credit systems make it unacceptable, and ultimately unavailable. Lifestyles that require excessive petrol use, like commuting and travel, energy generation and heating, will be limited and replaced with alternatives.
Vedic culture is in alignment with a sustainable future, because it is in alignment with nature herself. It is our past, and by making it our present, we will ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
For now, we use motorcars in service of the mission, while training ourselves to work with oxen. We generate power from the sun and the water, and we simplify our lives to not require or crave for more.
Srila Prabhupada envisioned village life without electricity, never mind wifi, power tools and water under pressure. So if our lifestyle appears extreme, this is a reminder that even this level of austerity includes many concessions. It's not about focusing on what we don't have, rather realizing our actual needs, saving time, and focusing on sadhana to make our human life successful.
"We have to think, 'Plain Living, High Thinking'. The necessities of this bodily existence should be minimized—not unhealthy, but healthy to keep oneself fit. But the time should be utilized to develop Krishna Consciousness, spiritual life. Then this whole problem is solved."
Srila Prabhupada Conversation with Allen Ginsberg