ICEocracy. ICEption. ICE Age: The Meltdown

In the last few months, I witnessed a serious increase in headlines, analyses, and statements claiming car electrification is dragging. There's more: extremists are sure it will eventually collapse because demand is not on par with forecasts, while e-fuels and hydrogen are presumably the saviors of the ICEs.

Almost no one points out that those forecasts in discussion were made before the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's war on Ukraine, along with all the economic issues they inflicted all over the world. Likewise, almost no one has inquiries about this sudden buzz over synthetic fuels and the feasibility of combining hydrogen and internal combustion engines.

For now, let me give you another perspective on ICEs, according to a delicious anecdote I found on social media some years ago. I don't remember its source, so forgive me if it won't mirror exactly the original. But it's an exercise meant to emphasize the shortcomings of internal combustion engines from another angle.

It goes like this: "We are a family thinking of switching from an electric car to a petrol or diesel one. We have a few questions for those of you who already use an internal combustion engine car, and we hope someone in the know can help."

At this point, most of you driving conventional cars probably think it's an "Idiocracy" kind of stupid question. Well, I'm glad you do because what's next will surely rock your beliefs a little. Shall we continue with our friends' concerns?

"I heard that a gasoline car can't be fueled at home, and I have to go to a special place to fill the tank. How far are those places, and how often do I have to do this? Is it like every day or only a few times a year? Are there options for comfortably refueling at home? We are used to plugging in our car in the evening, and in the morning, it's charged as if it were by itself."

Frankly, I won't blame you for thinking this guy is a complete moron. But this simply reverse-engineers what people driving ICE cars are interested in when considering switching to an electric car, right?

"Are there many parts that need to be replaced? The dealer said something about frequently changing the oil and filter and mentioned some rare but mandatory interventions on the gearbox, timing belt, and other services in the car's lifetime. Do you know how much degradation the wear parts have? Will they break down suddenly? How much does this servicing cost anyway?"

Of course, while costly and sometimes a real pain in the a**, the service costs for an ICE car are perceived by owners as normal. Not regularly changing the oil or not paying attention to suspect rattles or noises under the hood or the car is madness and will surely lead to bigger technical issues, right? But let's hear other "dumb" questions.

"Do I often have to use the brake pedal, or can I accelerate and brake with the same pedal as in my current car? Do I get gas back in the tank when I brake or go downhill?" This is mean, I know, even some of you could argue that mild-hybrid vehicles also have some form of energy recuperation, but it's debatable how useful it is.

"Do all petrol and diesel cars have much slower acceleration? When I test-drove one, it felt like it took a long time from when I pressed the gas pedal until the car reacted. Maybe there was something wrong with the test-drive car?" Of course, this is a reference to the electric motor's much better torque, developed from the moment you press the acceleration.

"Now we pay $0.02/mile (€0.01/km), but I estimated the gasoline car will cost around $0.13/mile (€0.07/km), so six or seven-fold more expensive. Also, even if the new car is cheaper than ours, it will cost more very soon. We drive 15,000 miles (around 24,000 km) a year. Hopefully, more people will use gas so prices will go down... is there such a trend?"

This might sound like a hit below the belt from a petrolhead perspective because, hey, everybody knows the monopolistic oil market is designed only to see prices go higher. Anyone driving an ICE car accepts the oil dependency, just like smokers can't fight their nicotine addiction. Right?

"I understand that gasoline and diesel are made from petroleum. Is it true that oil extraction is associated with global environmental problems and large-scale wars with absolutely terrible consequences for people around the world, including several world wars and problems in the last 100 years in which tens of millions of people have died?

Is there any solution to this that we can consider? We don't want to contribute to such crap. My son also heard that petrol cars emit smoke and toxic gases. I read about air pollution and its impact on respiratory health. Do we contribute to this by switching to a petrol or diesel car? Will these pose risks to our health and the environment?"

Frankly, this is simply the elephant in the room that petrolheads and generally politicians, business people, and corporations' employees tend to ignore because it's an inconvenient truth related to our society's oil addiction. Even those blaming battery production's emissions know the oil industry is tenfold damaging.

"... I have more questions, but these are the ones I came up with now. Thanks for all the help!" At this point, imagining a world where EVs are the norm and the ICE is the new, revolutionary technology is just like watching "Idiocracy" once again: it's satirical and inconceivable, right?

Well, not really. Actually, this scenario happened some century ago! Before Germans Benz and Daimler successfully mounted internal combustion engines on "carriages," electric "carriages" were used in several parts of the modern world. Yes, vehicles fitted with electric motors and batteries are over one hundred years old.

But, as everybody knows, the conqueror rewrites history as it best fits its interests. Or maybe the ICE conqueror's preachers used an Inception-like method to make future generations believe that internal combustion engines fueled by petroleum products are the only viable solution for the transportation sector. Ever.

I know it sounds like a conspiracy, but please consider it an SF scenario, like the "Inception" movie. While the previous questions from the hypothetical EV owner considering switching to an ICE car might ring some bells in your mind, most of you will probably unconsciously silence those voices in your head that cast doubts on ICE supremacy.

As for the e-fuel propaganda and the new hydrogen-based ICE technology plethora of headlines, I recommend the animated "Ice Age" series to all of you hoping those promises really are future-proof zero-emission alternatives to battery tech. And that batteries are the losing bet.

The main characters' flawed understanding of dramatic situations in "Ice Age" is a successful metaphor for today's strong beliefs, which too often are based on thin air arguments and the "who shouts louder is right" wrong rule.

Fortunately, we also have much to learn from the adaptability of the same characters, who manage to overcome their beliefs by critical thinking based on logic, undeniable facts, and soundproof arguments. Oh, and cataclysms or planet-scale changes.

In the end, I'm aware that my editorial can be perceived as too politically incorrect and even offending to some. However, despite all the disinformation and propaganda meant to postpone the demise of the oil industry's domination, believing that ICE cars must be favored instead of EVs is simply wrong. I hope we're not on the verge of making "Idiocracy" becoming a reality.