THE END OF THE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE HAS ARRIVED.

This recent news article confirms absolutely what we stated a year ago:

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/heres-why-people-are-willing-to-pay-more-for-an-ev/

Why should Internal Combustion engines go?

1. The things we will be pleased to forget and keen not to remember anymore:

  • Radiators and radiator fans and fan belts
  • Radiator leaks and a myriad of ways to repair them
  • Water pumps and fan belts
  • Water coolant additives
  • Engine gaskets to keep the water from flowing out
  • Weird shaped thick rubber pipes to circulate all the hot water.
  • Clamps clamps clamps
  • Overhead water bottles that eventually leak
  • Temperature gauges
  • Petrol tanks with petrol pumps
  • Carburetors with lots of bits inside that need attention
  • Fuel injectors also with lots of bits
  • Petrol additives to ensure proper working of the injectors
  • Chokes and air flow regulators
  • Throttles and their cables
  • Cam belts that never last as long as they are supposed to and then destroy the engine when they break
  • Aluminium cylinder heads
  • Cam shafts
  • Tappets and springs
  • Intake and exhaust manifolds
  • Spark plugs
  • Pistons
  • Oil rings
  • Compression rings
  • Big and small ends
  • Crank shafts
  • Lambda sensors
  • Sleeve bearings every where
  • Oil pumps
  • Oil tanks
  • Oil filters
  • Oil dipsticks
  • Gaskets that keep the oil from flowing out
  • Special oil additives
  • Flywheels
  • Bendix drives
  • Gear Boxes with gears, sleeves, bearings and a whole host of other bits
  • Gear levers
  • Gear oil
  • Clutches with connections that allow for gear changes
  • Clutch plates
  • Automatic gear boxes with lots of gears and clutch plates and special oil
  • Drive shafts
  • Universal joints
  • Differential gearboxes
  • Side shafts
  • Exhaust piping with baffles
  • Platinum catalysts
  • More Lambda sensors

2. But there is more. The internal combustion engine depends on a huge support structure, without which it cannot survive. The fuel is bulky and highly flammable and not easy to transport. Let’s look at a few issues surrounding this supply system.

  • Oil wells. Not all of their products are used for petrol or diesel but it nonetheless is a significant part of their product range
  • Refineries that produce different grades of petrol and Diesel. These are huge enterprises
  • Fuel pipelines sometimes thousands of miles long laid down at massive costs
  • Large fuel tankers that are dangerous to have on roads
  • Several large underground tanks at each garage or supply point
  • Fuel dispensers with several options for different types an grades of fuel, all electrically driven
  • Large garage forecourts, expensive constructions to illuminate and maintain
  • Large variety of different fuel suppliers, all delivering the same product
  • Large staff numbers to manage and service the garages

3. Impact. This system impacts on our lifestyle in a variety of ways, even those who do not drive.

  • Health. Engines that produce vast volumes of both carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. There has been no real voluntary effort by the manufacturers to limit the energy used and produced to what is absolutely necessary. Manufacturers loudly display the powerful energy capacity of their engines as if that is something to be proud of. Platinum Exhaust systems that catalyze carbon monoxide emissions are not popular. Cars such as the Mini that used to be small and accessible and cheap are now larger and using more fuel. Even people that never drive or use vehicle transport driven by internal combustion engines cannot avoid breathing the noxious fumes they produce.
  • Environment. Large sea going tankers carrying fuel for this industry have done massive harm to the marine environments when they fail. Mistakes are often made in the securing of underwater wells
  • Fracking, now standard practice, interferes with the subterranean composition of large land areas. Lots of denials but are they believable, what does the future hold and what can be done if the denials are overly optimistic.

4. Money.

  • Fuel supply, all the way from the bottom of the well to the petrol and diesel tank in the car, is a massive money centered industry. Huge amounts of capital are involved that could otherwise have financed manufacturing and farming and housing and health. Large scale betting on purchases and the ever changing oil price, all of it to do with the to and fro of the oiligarchs and, eventually, paid for by the poor taxpayer who has absolutely no say or influence in this scenario.
  • Tax abuse. Governments pretend that taxes are gathered to pay for services provided to taxpayers. A common lie. One does not mind if that applies to products of a discretionary nature, such as tobacco and alcohol. Cannabis will be next! But when it is applied to fuel which is an essential expense for most persons – to get to work, school, shops, medical practitioners and the like – this practice is so unfair it should be illegal. Stop the fuel, stop this tax madness.
  • Just think of it: Would Shell, BP, Esso, Caltex, Chevron, Conoco, Crevier, Engen, Exxon, Mobil, Gulf Oil, Indian Oil Corporation, Marathon Petroleum, Murco, Petrobas, Total, Petromin, Repsol, Sasol, Sonol, Valero, and so many others have been so rich and famous had it not been for petrol and diesel? The fuel industry must be one of the most overinvested industries in the new world.

5. Entertainment.

  • In a clear effort to keep the internal combustion industry alive an enormous amount of money is spent on motor sport, Formula 1 in particular. Heroes are made of men such as Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Sebastian Vettel, Charles Leclerc, Daniel Ricciardo, Nicholas Latifi, Frenando Alonso and Valtterri Bottas who manage to beat each other round the race track by a fraction of a second in their Mercedes, McLaren, Ferrari, Honda, and Renault cars, achieving this pitiful advantage through investing multi millions of dollars, none of which contributes to a single ounce of benefit for the taxpayer who, as with all of this industry, eventually has to pay the bills.

6. Indictment.

  • One would have thought that with the trillions of monies that land in the bank accounts of the manufacturers and salesmen of the internal combustion vehicles at least a fraction would have been spent on lightening the incredible cost of maintaining these overly complicated machines, or at least in coming up with an alternative that frees the customer from the responsibility of looking after all the items listed in paragraph one of this document. Pathetic attempts have been made to produce so-called hybrid vehicles that still keep the internal combustion machinery under the bonnet. Some efforts to change from fuel to gas, etc., but nothing with any impact of value to the consumer.
  • It took the genius and courage of one man, the now famous Elon Musk, to grab the motor vehicle industry by the throat and produce a workable and eminently successful alternative.

7. RIP. Rest in Pieces.

  • It was fun, and it had its moments. But the time has come to bury the IC engine in all its forms, including the distribution, sales, maintenance and support functions. The saving of all the electricity used in drilling, refining, carrying, piping, garaging, manufacture and maintenance these now antique machines will be enough to propel the Electrical Vehicles of the future.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this article.

For further reading follow these links:

The Road We Shouldn’t Have Taken | Arts And Entertainment | newsexaminer.com

Link https://www.thecooldown.com/green-business/new-car-regulations-biden-administration/.

Link: https://www.aol.com/gas-vs-electric-cars-pros-170000149.html

Link: https://www.standard.net/lifestyle/home_and_family/2024/mar/30/sunday-drive-a-futuristic-journey-in-the-2024-hyundai-kona-limited-fwd/

And, of course, there is always a manufacturer or two who cannot face reality:

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a60334472/mercedes-benz-s-class-eqs-future/

This has as much to do with the fact that major manufacturers have a still persistent investment in the many bits and pieces that an IC engine needs to stay on the road. Add this to the fact that post IC their hard earned skills and experience will have no value. Sad. But the there is the new boy on the block : AI, maybe Grock-1. From the guy who got the EV market going! Perhaps it can open up lots of new up to date opportunities that are not based on very old technology. Worth a try, don’t you think!

 

Link: https://qz.com/electric-vehicles-evs-carbon-emissions-gas-cars-1851376466

 

Link: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/as-expected-plug-in-hybrids-pollution-is-far-worse-than-carmakers-advertise-231634.html

 

Link: https://www.carmag.co.za/news/ferrari-keeps-ice-hopes-alive-with-upside-down-hydrogen-inline-six/  Really? The mind boggles!

 

Link: https://electrek.co/2024/03/28/porsche-retires-gas-powered-boxster-eu-ev-version-due/ Way to go!

 

Link: https://www.energyandcapital.com/volvo-goes-all-electric-bids-farewell-to-internal-combustion/

 

Link: https://www.siliconvalley.com/2024/03/31/the-most-efficient-bev-hev-and-phev-of-2024/

 

Link: https://www.biofuelsdigest.com/bdigest/2024/03/31/the-electrifying-end-to-life-on-earth/

 

Link: https://www.wardsauto.com/industry-news/chery-levels-ice-sales-playing-field-discounts

 

Link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/billroberson/2024/03/31/jlr-hints-at-defender-octa-hybrid-suv-with-twin-turbo-v8-gas-engine/?sh=45ae78de3ec9

Note: Hydrogen comes in high compression containers. Just imagine an accident involving such a cylinder that can release a large volume of combustible gas into the surrounding air. This can lead to a massive explosion that cold wipe out a suburb. Some propose the use of Hydrogen fuel cells as the source of electricity. This option, however, has been around for a long time and has not delivered the quality of supply the Lithium Ion batteries do.

 

 

Link: https://www.media.stellantis.com/em-en/jeep/press/jeep-media-drive-features-the-new-jeep-renegade-and-compass-e-hybrid

 

Link: https://www.topgearmag.in/features/tg-explains/e-fuels-vs-electricity-a-battle-for-the-future-of-transportation

This points out the possibility of the strangely engineered e-fuels, a cocktail of petrol, jet fuel, and it includes captured “captured” Carbon Dioxide!

Is this the Woke version of transport fuel?

 

Link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/zennonkapron/2024/04/02/singapore-pushes-ahead-with-fintech-driven-sustainability/?sh=28739eb7f093

As always, Singapore is driven by sensibility.

 

Link: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/vehicular-pollution-new-roadmap-to-avoid-millions-of-early-deaths-childrens-asthma/

The victims of the grand schemers who are desperately holding onto their cash streams. We have a responsibility to do the right thing.

 

Link: https://gmauthority.com/blog/2024/03/heres-the-first-right-hand-drive-gmc-hummer-ev-video/

Looks good too, perfect for right hand drive countries such as England, South Africa and Japan.

 

Link: https://fakti.bg/en/avto/869184-about-25-of-electric-cars-sold-in-europe-this-year-will-be-made-in-china

Like it or not, It is happening.

Link: https://www.wintonsworld.com/wintonsworld-electric-car-tests-march-2024/

Well done Neil Winton!

 

Link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/neilwinton/2023/10/22/europes-ice-ban-is-years-away-but-the-pain-starts-in-2024/?sh=6df87346409e

Also by Neil Winton.

 

Link: https://www.sae.org/news/2023/03/european-ice-ban

Read the list at the start of this post. All of those annoying, costly, complicated devices will remain in place. So-called E-fuels still need to be proved, both in supply, use and emissions. Time to wake up guys and girls.

 

Link: https://www.ajc.com/news/business/epa-says-half-of-all-us-car-sales-in-2032-could-be-evs-what-that-means-for-georgia/OIQ7VFRYSFCQRHYXD3CQOA3LEY/

Positive news from USA

 

Link: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/xiaomis-stock-set-open-up-15-after-launch-electric-car-2024-04-02/

 

Link: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/xiaomis-stock-set-open-up-15-after-launch-electric-car-2024-04-02/

This from Detroit – there must be a hidden message here from the US!

 

Link: https://www.ft.com/content/e9cbf92f-17f9-439a-ab7f-80fd8b589472

India on the list. This is good news.

 

Link: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/energy-and-environment/2950471/buttigieg-insists-automobile-market-is-moving-toward-electric-vehicles/

Authoritative comment. Persons in his position don’t make such comments lightly.

 

More from Detroit:

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/ford/2024/04/03/ford-us-sales-increase-first-quarter-hybrids-record/73189167007/

Deconstructing dirty emissions:

https://www.forconstructionpros.com/business/article/22891967/associated-equipment-distributors-aed-opposes-california-rule-on-internal-combustion-trucks

Investing in the future:

https://www.forconstructionpros.com/business/article/22888478/schaeffler-group-usa-inc-schaeffler-announces-ohio-evehicle-manufacturing-facility

Some just dont get it, do they?:

https://www.postandcourier.com/opinion/commentary/biden-electric-vehicles-internal-combustion-engines/article_cd2148f6-f0fa-11ee-b16e-27e0e7b0e468.html

Perfect common sense from Canada:

https://www.nationalobserver.com/2024/04/04/opinion/electric-vehicles-expose-myth-ethical-oil

More from Detroit:

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/ford/2024/04/03/ford-us-sales-increase-first-quarter-hybrids-record/73189167007/

Deconstructing dirty emissions:

https://www.forconstructionpros.com/business/article/22891967/associated-equipment-distributors-aed-opposes-california-rule-on-internal-combustion-trucks

Investing in the future:

https://www.forconstructionpros.com/business/article/22888478/schaeffler-group-usa-inc-schaeffler-announces-ohio-evehicle-manufacturing-facility

Some just dont get it, do they?:

https://www.postandcourier.com/opinion/commentary/biden-electric-vehicles-internal-combustion-engines/article_cd2148f6-f0fa-11ee-b16e-27e0e7b0e468.html

Perfect common sense from Canada:

https://www.nationalobserver.com/2024/04/04/opinion/electric-vehicles-expose-myth-ethical-oil

Serious concerns:

Many people are unaware of the ongoing manipulation that keeps them buying gas-guzzling vehicles, writes Rob Miller @winexus #EVs #cdnpoli

As the market matures the landscape will vary. This is normal for any world wide enterprise:

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/tesla-scraps-low-cost-car-plans-amid-fierce-chinese-ev-competition-2024-04-05/

Committed to make it work by backing up the facilities:

https://coloradosun.com/2024/04/05/colorado-adding-ev-chargers-fast-stations/

The range is broadening:

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a60400197/ford-three-row-ev-suv-new-electric-truck-delayed/

Scientific advances that endorse the necessity of making Evs the future of transportation:

https://www.nanograf.com/

 

These solid service facilities keep on growing and maintaining their usefulness:

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/04/05/big-winner-in-bidens-ev-charging-revolution-gas-stations-1-00150

 

These companies, some of the top movers and most successful, are backing the EV.

https://electrek.co/2024/04/05/hyundai-motor-kia-top-ford-gm-us-ev-sales-affordability/

 

No-one sneers at tax advantages:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/heres-every-ev-epa-says-160014062.html

 

Baby steps? No way!

https://cleantechnica.com/2024/04/05/world-ev-sales-now-13-of-world-auto-sales/

 

Have a look, perhaps a test drive, somewhere near you in the US:

https://electrek.co/2024/04/05/see-test-drive-your-favorite-evs-at-drive-electric-earth-month-all-april/

 

Good news for the Climate Complainers!

https://www.eurasiareview.com/07042024-electric-vehicles-are-lowering-bay-areas-carbon-footprint/

And more of the same:

https://www.earth.com/news/direct-evidence-electric-vehicles-measurably-reduce-carbon-emissions/

 

This Q8 – etron looks like it means business:

https://www.daytondailynews.com/lifestyles/car-review-subtle-name-change-irrelevant-for-electric-suv/QNMMJVHYZFHMPMLLCCWVY3XEMY/

 

The Aussies are moving up:

https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/sick-of-paying-for-petrol-heres-6-electric-vehicles-that-fill-up-for-as-low-as-18-055328506.html

 

Illinois joins in:

https://www.25newsnow.com/video/2024/04/12/illinois-environmental-protection-agency-grants-around-25-million-electric-vehicles/

 

Even at BMW the numbers are growing impressively:

https://www.teslarati.com/bmw-one-millionth-electric-vehicle-sale/

Interesting article about the history of electric vehicles:

https://www.thedailystar.net/supplements/the-rise-evs/news/electric-dreams-reality-the-ev-evolution-the-1880s-3584601

Records broken:

https://ecology.wa.gov/blog/april-2024/a-record-year-for-electric-vehicles-and-plug-in-hybrids-in-washington

Growing pains but growth is there to stay:

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/09/business/volkswagen-electric-vehicle-factory.html

The figures don’t lie, it may not make you happy, but that is your problem!

https://www.govtech.com/transportation/energy-calculation-could-speed-up-american-ev-adoption

Realistic and useful analysis:

https://ourworldindata.org/electric-car-sales

It seems that even those producing the bells and whistles for the current market will still be employed in the future:

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/what-happens-when-german-car-factory-goes-all-electric

Shipping spinoff: Not only China, but look at the other countries:

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/chinas-ev-export-boom-fuels-surge-demand-new-car-carrying-ships-2024-04-10/

Ground up and go:

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/chinas-ev-export-boom-fuels-surge-demand-new-car-carrying-ships-2024-04-10/

Superb. You can see why it is sold out:

https://www.gmc.com/electric/sierra-ev/denali-edition-1

Protection. The clients pay the price:

https://www.gmc.com/electric/sierra-ev/denali-edition-1

New York starts to benefit:

https://www.masstransitmag.com/bus/paratransit/press-release/55018446/mta-new-york-city-transit-mta-unveils-first-electric-vehicles-to-join-access-a-ride-paratransit-fleet

Toyota committed long term:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/04/16/japan-nissan-evs-solid-state-battery/1cfc7dfc-fbc1-11ee-87ac-20f7e67cbe29_story.html

 

And the latest: V2G

New dimensions add to the value of Electric vehicles. The large capacity batteries can also be put to use to power homes in emergencies and even to sell unused power back to the grid:

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/automakers-hope-cut-two-way-ev-charging-becomes-real-2024-04-22/