While the world grapples with the current climate crisis, there has been a significant push in the automobile world to electrify their engine solutions. While most major automobile companies now have an electric model lineup, the internal combustion remains the most dominant engine solution on the road. Due to this, automobile companies are continuing to produce and change the internal combustion engine, recognizing that electrifying the roads is going to be a massive undertaking, and the internal combustion engine is still needed during this transition.
Is there still room for the internal combustion engine?
While companies such Tesla have been pioneers in the electrical vehicle revolution, pushing competition in the alternative engine solution world to meet consumers’ climate concern, the internal combustion engine still reigns in terms of superiority of sheer numbers on the road. Despite the growing shift towards more renewable solutions, automobile companies understand that the internal combustion engine is still an integral part of the automobile world.
Phasing out the internal combustion engine is not as straightforward as one would assume. It is not only about producing new models, but also changing existing infrastructure to support these alternative engine solutions. While supporting infrastructure for electrical vehicles has grown, other alternative fuel sources such as hydrogen engine technology still have a long way to go when it comes to implementing them more widely.
Additionally, electrical vehicles are still considerably more expensive than the internal combustion engine. In order for more consumers to start purchasing these types of vehicles, the technology needs to develop where it can match the mainstream market price, else consumers will continue to purchase budget-friendly internal combustion engine vehicles even if they would like to move towards electric.
The new INNengine e-Rex could be revolutionary
With these challenges with widespread implementation of electric and other alternative engine solutions in mind, engine manufacturers are continuing to produce new internal combustion engine technology in order to meet the current needs of consumers where electric vehicles cannot. One such company which is pushing innovation in the internal combustion engine sphere is INNengine, with their new e-Rex engine.
The e-Rex is an alleged one-stroke engine which caused controversy in 2023 over the one-stroke claims. However, this revolutionary design for an internal combustion engine is set to be evaluated by major company Horse, a joint venture between major automobile companies Renault and Geely. This evaluation is significant, has it could mean that we could see a one-stroke combustion engine on the road.
Novel innovation is more important than ever
Novel innovation in the automobile world is perhaps at its most critical point. As companies strive to solve the dual challenge of environmental sustainability and consumer demands for more efficient, cost-effective solutions, providing engine solutions to meet these needs requires a diversified approach. Unique innovative ideas like the e-Rex helps the automobile industry to explore diverse pathways beyond just electrification. Hybrid engines, hydrogen fuel cells, and alternative fuels are also being explored, providing various solutions tailored to different markets and consumer needs.
As automakers aim for sustainability, new technological ideas retain a competitive landscape which is capable of offering adaptable solutions that go beyond simple EV adoption. While electric and hybrid solutions are the most popular alternative engine choice, ensuring a diversified approach to sustainable mobility is crucial for addressing the varying needs of different regions, consumers, and sectors. Not all markets are equally ready for a complete transition to electric vehicles. It is for this reason (among others) that continued innovation for the internal combustion engine is still needed as different regions slowly adjust to support more sustainable solutions within the automobile world.
