I've been reading "Transport Revolutions" by Richard Gilbert and Anthony Perl. The authors (who are certainly reputable) are convinced that oil production will drop significantly in the next few decades, requiring that transportation shift away from oil-based fuel and towards electric grid-based power (e.g., railroads, not aviation).

What are airlines doing to be ready for this, if it happens?

Plenty of progress is being made towards electric cars, and electric trains (and buses) have been around for decades. Are airplane manufacturers doing anything to move in the same direction? Do airlines care?

Given how fuel price spikes wrecked airlines' financials in the mid-2000s, I'd expect that they would be trying to move past using jet fuel, but I see no signs.

Thanks.