Combustion engine

A combustion engine isn’t just started; it’s more or less awakened to life. In idle mode, it vibrates with a gentle pulse, breathing in and out as it waits for new tasks. A quick jab of the accelerator and its eager babbling transforms into an aggressive snarl. There’s no doubt: this is an extroverted creature at work, eager to show off its strength with a roar. When driving, the engine and gearbox enter a symbiotic state that results in a unique, even sensual surge of power. It is not mathematically linear but follows its own laws; one can sense that experts with petrol in their veins have finetuned the complex interplay of torque and output to achieve an optimum performance. And when the work is done, a quick press of the off button interrupts the engine’s circle of life. The fuel supply and ignition are cut off, the crankshaft turns once more, and only the ticking and clacking as the engine cools bear witness to the previous display of muscle power. Compared to other drive concepts, the combustion engine may be an old-school roughneck, but it is one with a soul and character. Whether it’s a family van, sports car, heavy-duty truck, construction machine, or ocean-going liner on a long voyage – there’s no getting away from the combustion engine. This is especially true when high performance is required over long periods of time, such as in industrial applications, and also in motorsport. There is no such thing as giving-up in its world. As a powerful endurance athlete, it is the undisputed long-distance champion, while electric drives, with their overly expensive batteries, run out of steam after just a short sprint. With combustion engines, the range is defined solely by the tank capacity.

Emissions manipulation and fraud scandals cast a dark shadow over its past, but this can no longer be held against it today. Especially since, from a technical point of view, it undoubtedly has what it takes to be “Mr Clean”. The developers’ goal is “zero impact emissions”, i.e., pollutants in concentrations below the detectable limit. The necessary exhaust treatment systems are already available on the market; they just need to be properly dimensioned and adapted.

Concerning climate-damaging carbon dioxide, the only solution to that is to replace fossil fuels with alternative ones. Indeed, this idea is not new. Henry Ford actually wanted to run his legendary Model T on biofuel. Farmers in the USA were supposed to produce it from their crop waste and sell it directly off the roadside. As we know, things turned out differently because the oil industry took over the market very quickly with a large network of petrol stations.

When discussing alternative fuels, critics often point to the lower efficiency of their production compared to the direct use of electricity from wind and solar power plants in electric cars. Ultimately, this objection is pointless. If we seriously intend to meet the CO₂ goals we have set ourselves in Germany and the EU, it is needless to say that we will have to use both forms of energy at the same time. This is because it is simply not possible to build enough wind turbines, solar panels, and supply lines in Germany quickly enough to fulfil the huge demand for alternative energy sources that will be required when phasing out fossil fuels. Not to mention the insufficient market penetration of electric cars. So why not take a pragmatic approach and produce green energy in areas of the world that are sparsely populated but have sufficient wind and sun – and then import it? Both sides would surely benefit: these often underdeveloped regions would profit from an economic boost, and we would be less dependent on the ups and downs of the electromobility industry and its major players in China. We also wouldn’t end up slowing down our economy quite so drastically. Whether the price of fuel generated from renewable sources can compete with the direct use of locally generated solar and wind energy is something that should be decided by market forces rather than at negotiating tables. Another advantage of e-fuels – alternative fuels with chemical and physical properties similar to petrol or diesel, is their backward compatibility with vehicles already on the road. E-fuels can be mixed with fossil fuels or even used in their pure form, turning every vehicle in the existing fleet into a climate-friendly eco-mobile. The combustion engine is far from being out of fashion!

Electric drive

Battery-powered electric driving can be summed up in one simple phrase: hit the accelerator and have fun! The unrivalled performance of the electric motor, delivering maximum torque from the very first revolution, combined with direct power transmission without a power-sapping clutch or traction interruption during gear changes, results in acceleration that inevitably puts a smile on your face. By firmly pushing down the pedal, you can feel like being behind the wheel of a dragster trying to outrun its competitors in a quarter-mile acceleration duel. The triumphant glance goes to the car next to you, still trying to keep up with its antiquated combustion engine.

While the driver enjoys moments of exhilaration, the electric drive remains calm and restrained. It is present, but never intrusive, preferring to let its performance speak for itself. Instead of petrol, electrons flow through the electric car: plus and minus, cathodes and anodes, electrons and protons, charging and discharging – who would deny that a drive system based on the balancing of charges, which in a sense strives for perfect harmony, has something calming about it, especially in today’s polarised world? However, should drivers change their mind, the electric drive can also show a different side. You drive gently, glide along the road, and enjoy the smooth delivery of power. Since the electric drive is virtually silent, it is the sound of the tyres on the road, the rush of the wind and the hum of auxiliary systems like the air conditioning, power steering, and brakes that shape the pleasantly quiet ambience. The car is becoming a wellness oasis, often offering more comfort than the living room at home, with additional features such as massage seats and infotainment functions. The step towards automated driving, which completely relieves drivers of the stress and strains of daily traffic thanks to an electronic autopilot, is just around the corner. In addition, drivers can enjoy the fact that they are driving without locally producing CO₂ emissions.

The unrivalled comfort and ease of easy handling of electric drives were already key drivers of the first electric car boom, which began at the end of the 19th century. By 1900, 40 percent of all vehicles in the United States were electrically powered, and in New York, the figure was as high as 50 percent. The peak of the electric car wave came in 1912; after that, it was a steep decline until electric cars became nothing more than a footnote in the history of technology. After electromobility re-entered the race for the crown of future drive evolution a few years ago, it has been rapidly gaining ground on the combustion engine, and in many areas it has already overtaken it. There are many levers of technical progress. Concerning electric motors, these include high engine-speed concepts, improved thermal heat dissipation for higher continuous output, and general measures to increase efficiency in the specification sheet. The greatest potential for innovation, however, lies in battery technology. In the future, the gap between battery development is set to widen even further: on the one hand, there will be affordable but relatively low-performance systems for the mass market, such as lithium iron phosphate and sodium-ion batteries; on the other hand, there will be high-tech lithium-ion batteries designed for high performance and ultra-fast charging. Solid-state batteries are considered to be the benchmark for the next or even the follow-on generation of energy storage technology. At the same time, there are still urgent issues that need to be addressed. These include the often environmentally destructive mining of raw materials, the working conditions in local mines, and the geopolitical tensions with the exporting countries.

The vehicle of tomorrow will undoubtedly be electric. Filmmaker Robert Zemeckis was well aware of this when he had smart Doc Brown convert the DeLorean to electric drive before sending it back in time in the blockbuster film Back to the Future. Even today, electric cars offer locally emission-free mobility with a high level of driving pleasure and comfort. Thanks to continuous development, they will soon be able to perform even better at a lower price. The real question is therefore not if, but rather when, to get on board and start driving into an electrified future. For Doc Brown, it was in 1985.