7 Reasons Internal Combustion Engines are Not Going Away
Daily Slideshow: Internal combustion engines have been around for well over a century and will continue to be used in cars for decades to come.
ICE ICE Baby
Internal combustion engines have long been the preferred method of propulsion in vehicles for a variety of reasons. So, it is difficult to imagine a world in which these machines will no longer be used or determined to be outdated. Many media outlets would have us believe that the internal combustion engine (ICE) is all but dead and we should jump onto the green electric bandwagon. However, truth be told, the ICE platform will continue to power vehicles for years to come.
Profitability
Electric vehicles have been gaining popularity and have become more affordable in recent years, but the profitability cannot compare to ICE vehicles. It is very difficult for manufacturers to turn a profit on EVs because of their high component costs, limited customer appeal, and a lack of scale. Tesla has previously reported losing approximately $13,000 per car compared to ICE manufacturers like Chevy, who make about $17,000 per Silverado sold.
Engine Efficiency
ICE efficiency is rapidly improving each day with the use of new technologies and materials. The development of features like turbocharging, direct-injection, cylinder deactivation, and start/stop technology coupled with multi-speed transmissions, aerodynamic efficiency, low-rolling-resistance tires, etc. have allowed fuel economy to soar. In short, smaller engines are producing more power per liter while burning less fuel and there is still plenty of untapped potential with ICE vehicles.
Fueling Infrastructure
The gasoline and diesel infrastructure in the US was developed over a 100+ year period that now includes approximately 150,000 gas stations stretching from coast to coast to allow ICE vehicles to conveniently fill-up virtually anywhere. Public EV charging station numbers pale in comparison at around 40,000 chargers (one-third located in California alone). Most of those in California are clustered in major metropolitan areas and make those living on the outskirts feeling left out. Improvements in EV range, charging rates, and available charging stations must occur before they can rival their ICE counterparts.
Electrical Grid
The electrical infrastructure or 'power grid' is not currently capable of handling a society filled with electric vehicles. In the summer months with heavy usage of air-conditioning systems, we experience brownouts and sometimes even blackouts. The electrical draw from everyone plugging-in their EV would surely overwhelm the grids. Improving the infrastructure will be necessary before even thinking about banning internal combustion engines, and these changes couldn't happen overnight.
Fuel Prices & Availability
Despite ongoing concerns of crude oil supplies, gasoline and diesel fuels are still readily available and are quite affordable. Global oil usage has hovered around 34 billion barrels per year, so at the current rate of production and consumption sources, there are about 55-70 years worth of crude oil left. With the US producing more oil at cheaper prices via fracking, fuel prices have in turn dropped and look to remain stable in the coming years.
Alternate Fuel
When we think of internal combustion engines, we often associate them with gasoline and diesel. While many argue that there is a finite amount of crude oil from which these fuels are made, let's not forget that an ICE can also run on ethanol. Ethanol (E85) is a renewable fuel that is largely produced from corn, which can continue to be grown and converted to fuel for use in engines. Although it contains less energy per gallon than gasoline, ethanol blends will further stretch fuel supplies, but can also be used on its own. As long as plants will grow, ethanol fuel can be produced to power engines.
Hybrid Power
The scenario we are most likely to encounter is the hybridization of vehicles where a smaller internal combustion engine is paired with a battery and electric motor. This system will reduce fuel consumption and minimize emissions further while maintaining performance. This move will also limit many of the issues associated with the range and charging of a pure EV. Simply put, pairing these two types of power provides the benefits of each while minimizing their shortcomings.
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