Internal Combustion Engines Here to Stay

In our race to the future of all electric vehicles, we sometimes forget that the internal combustion engine is going to be with us a long time. For many years to come, the primary effort will be to wring more power out of a gallon of fuel, rather than convert wholesale to electric vehicles. That's why diesel is likely to make a comeback, because of greater fuel efficiency and new standards that make them less smelly and more environmentally friendly. Marry a diesel to a hybrid, as Peugeot is doing, and you have quite a car. The same can be said about a new version of an old idea, the opposable cylinder engine concept, which has received fresh attention from venture capitalists, including Bill Gates, as it overcomes some of its two-stroke problems.

On the other hand, some new, brilliant ideas have to be shelved when they just turn out to be impractical. Say goodbye to the compressed air car, which could never overcome its efficiency problems, or difficulties with low temperature exhaust.