The internal combustion engine has several practical advantages, but it is the worst technology on the market. It has been used for over a century, but its efficiency has barely improved. Battery-electric vehicles are far more efficient and can deliver more miles per unit of power. The internal combustion engine isn’t without its problems, though.
Is it inefficient?
The internal combustion engine is notoriously inefficient at turning fuel into energy. It loses nearly half of its power in the form of heat. Even advanced internal combustion engines are only about 40 percent thermally efficient, and the highest efficiencies are found in massive marine diesel engines. This makes most people wonder why engineers cannot develop a more efficient machine.
Thermal efficiency is measured by the difference between the energy input and the output. As a result, the internal combustion engine is inefficient if its total energy output is less than the total amount of energy input. A thermodynamic engine will never be more efficient than it is in terms of work.
Another way to measure engine efficiency is by looking at the thermodynamic cycle and considering its efficiency. However, this approach is limited to a particular type of engine. Using a different thermodynamic cycle, which is much more general, can yield better conclusions. In addition, it is possible to calculate fuel efficiency by looking at the amount of fuel that the engine burns instead of the amount of heat it provides.
When considering fuel efficiency, it is essential to consider fuel cost. The average gasoline engine loses 80 cents of every dollar of fuel, and only twenty cents of that goes into moving the machine. A diesel engine will use sixty cents of every dollar of energy, which is twice as efficient as an average gasoline engine.
Although combustion engines are not entirely inefficient, they are not practical for long-term efficiency. Without cooling, combustion temperatures can reach dangerous levels. Furthermore, it isn’t easy to obtain ceramics for reciprocating parts. Considering the current technology and the automotive industry’s needs, combustion engines will remain a dominant factor in road transport for at least a few more decades. Nonetheless, efforts to improve their efficiency are highly welcomed.
A more efficient engine is better for the environment. The internal combustion engine has been a proven car technology for over 100 years. While its efficiency has increased over the years, it is still far from being as efficient as battery-electric vehicles. And in the long run, an improved ICE can reduce the impact of transport both on the environment and the planet. However, the question remains: Is the internal combustion engine inefficient?
Engine efficiency is primarily determined by how the engine is used in a vehicle. For example, a 40 percent efficient engine may have a power output of only 15 percent and a lower torque output. By limiting the amount of air that the machine is forced to compress, a higher efficiency ICE will be achieved.
Is it a worse technology than battery-electric vehicles?
While an internal combustion engine has a long history of practical benefits, it is a significantly worse technology than battery-electric vehicles. While it has improved over the years, it still does not deliver the mileage per power unit that battery-electric cars can. Furthermore, an internal combustion engine is not as clean as a battery-electric vehicle, contributing to global warming and air pollution.
The production of batteries is the most significant contributor to CO2 emissions, and EVs are no exception. A 100-kWh battery produces about 15 to 20 tons CO2 before the car even idles. In addition, lithium-ion batteries release an estimated 150 to 200 kilograms of carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour storage.
Some internal combustion engine makers have made a case for hybrids, combining a battery with a petrol engine, to reduce CO2 emissions. But this argument is based on an inaccurate model. For example, the study authors incorrectly calculated the CO2 emissions for the Tesla Model 3 while the German Federal Environmental Agency published the official CO2 figures for this car. Moreover, the claims by Aston Martin are based on a PR company registered to the wife of the UK carmaker’s director.
Battery-electric vehicles use lithium-ion batteries, which are more efficient than fossil fuel cars. In addition, a lithium-ion battery loses 30kg of raw material during its lifecycle. That’s equivalent to 17,000 liters of oil.
Most cars on the road today are powered by a combustion engine. This technology has been around for centuries. EVs will eventually outnumber gas-powered vehicles worldwide by 2033. However, it’s important to remember that a battery-electric vehicle is not a hybrid. These vehicles have different technology, and they have other benefits.
Moreover, other factors need to be considered when comparing these two technologies. One study found that an internal combustion engine consumes three times more energy than an electric vehicle. This doesn’t necessarily translate to a difference in the production of CO2 but rather how energy is used.
Another essential factor to consider is range. Internal combustion engines are notorious for releasing pollutants into the atmosphere, and battery-electric vehicles can go as far as 460km between refueling. Furthermore, they are much more efficient than internal combustion vehicles. A battery-electric car can be charged in just five minutes.
The internal combustion engine is an inefficient technology. Many countries are considering banning them. Norway, the Netherlands, China, and the UK are among them. By mid-century, battery-electric vehicles will take 10% of the light-duty vehicle market. However, they will be expensive and may not be accepted by the mass market.
Battery-electric vehicles have a lower initial cost than an ICEV. They also cost less to maintain than a comparable gasoline vehicle.
Is it bad technology?
While the internal combustion engine is an older technology, it’s still a significant part of the automobile industry. One study found that the machine is responsible for losing about 160,000 jobs in the powertrain value chain and labor market. The internal combustion engine is also highly inefficient, requiring much fuel to power the car. However, many significant OEMs are realizing the potential of electric vehicles and are working to develop hybrids and fuel-cell vehicles.
Today, internal combustion engines generate about 25% of the world’s power and account for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Research into better and cleaner IC engines has been ongoing for years. Groundbreaking articles have been published in the International Journal of Engine Research (IJER) over the past two decades. Today’s IC engine is a complex technology, but significant improvements have been made.
The European Union (EU) has proposed a phase-out of internal combustion engines and a move towards the battery and fuel-cell electric cars by 2035. Despite the challenges that combustion engine technology presents, its role in reducing carbon dioxide emissions is essential. However, it’s important to remember that internal combustion engines are not the problem; the problem is fossil fuels.
While the internal combustion engine was a great boon to the transportation industry and was responsible for improved fuel efficiency, the technology is aging. As a result, environmental concerns are rising. The Global Carbon Project reports that global carbon dioxide emissions will increase by 4.9% by 2021. This means that global emissions will be back to record levels in 2021.
The CO2 emissions from the combustion process of hydrocarbons are proportional to the amount of fuel consumed, and the more hydrocarbon fuel consumed, the more CO2 emissions will be produced. However, this is a trend that is decreasing with technological advances. The average vehicle has about 150.4 grams of CO 2 every mile, and it will eventually generate over 10 million grams of CO2 over its lifetime.
Alternative fuels and engines face significant barriers in terms of adoption. Some concerns about the internal combustion engine (ICE) have become politicized. Informed government policies are needed to promote a natural transition to sustainable energy systems. In the meantime, we can enjoy the benefits of IC engines while simultaneously reducing the environmental harm they cause.
