In recent years, electric vehicles have gained an increasingly strong foothold, with massive investments fueling their development. But what if the same level of investment had been directed toward making the traditional internal combustion engines more sustainable? Could traditional engine technology still have a future—one that is greener and more viable?
The biggest challenge facing the old internal combustion technology isn’t the engine itself—it’s the fuel it runs on. What if, instead of pouring billions into EV development, we had focused those resources on researching synthetic and zero-emission fuels? Could we already be driving near-zero-emission combustion cars today? Biofuels and synthetic fuels have offered alternatives, but they’ve remained on the sidelines because the industry has been fixated on electrification. If these alternative fuels had received the same level of investment, could the combustion engine still compete with electric cars?
Over the decades, internal combustion technology has been refined into something reliable and straightforward—much like an old pocket watch that just keeps ticking. This is also why combustion-engine vehicles remain essential in developing countries: they are easy to repair and operate. Unlike EVs, they don’t require an extensive charging network, and in many parts of the world, electricity supply is unreliable. While wealthier nations transition to electric cars, much of the world cannot follow suit. From this perspective, investing in low-emission fuels might actually be a more effective solution for the environment and climate.
From a security and resilience standpoint, combustion engines also have their advantages. What happens if electricity distribution is disrupted due to natural disasters, cyberattacks, war, or other crises? EVs rely on a functioning charging network, whereas combustion vehicles can store fuel and remain operational even during power outages. In emergency response and logistics, combustion-powered vehicles could prove to be critical lifelines. This aspect is often overlooked as EVs are promoted as the only viable future.
Many argue that the rise of EVs has been driven more by market forces than purely ecological concerns.
The auto industry is a multi-billion-dollar business, and many argue that the rise of EVs has been driven more by market forces than purely ecological concerns. Phasing out internal combustion cars creates a new market of consumers who are forced to replace their vehicles.
But what if extending the lifespan of existing cars, modernizing old combustion engines, and adopting new low-emission or zero-emission fuels turned out to be the more environmentally friendly option? The production and recycling of EV batteries come with their own challenges, and the sustainability of electricity generation varies widely. Perhaps the issue isn’t as black-and-white as it’s often portrayed.
Did we pivot to electric too quickly? Should the combustion engine have been given a second chance and a new lease on life? Is it too late to shift gears and invest in a new generation of zero-emission fuels? The automotive industry, policymakers, and consumers need to pause and consider whether the path we’ve taken is truly the best one—or if the alternative we dismissed too quickly might actually be the more sustainable solution.