Is that all there is for the Internal Combustion Engine? Some Automakers warn against electric vehicle-only strategy

Pundits are saying automakers are about to go all-in for the electric vehicle and a new age of electrification. Here at Napleton News we have had a chance to drive quite a few examples of this new technology. But BMW Chief Executive Officer Oliver Zipse says not so fast. Zipse told Reuters news agency that “companies must be careful not to become too dependent on a select few countries by focusing only on electric vehicles.” He went on to say there was still a market for (internal) combustion engine cars.

Multiple Electric Vehicle offerings with many choices

Many manufacturers are trying to diversify their product portfolios by stepping into the Electric Vehicle ocean. But they have not totally given up on the internal combustion engine. Still others are eager to prove their “Green Cred” and have even made lofty proclamations they will be all-electric by the end of the decade, if not sooner. Zipse cautions against such an “all-in” move.

There are many options to examine in the Electric Vehicle marketplace today, and most are from mainstream automakers. Here is a list of just a few of the models available today (or in the near future.).

• Audi: Q4 e-tron, Q4 e-tron Sportback, e-tron GT
• BMW: i4, iX i7 xDrive, iX6 M60
• Cadillac: Lyriq, Celestiq
• Chevrolet: Bolt, Bolt EUV, Blazer EV, Silverado Electric
• Ford: Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning, Explorer EV
• Genesis: G80 EV, GV60 EV.
• GMC: Hummer EV Pickup
• Honda: Prologue
• Hyundai: Ioniq 5, Kona Electric
• Jaguar: I-Pace
• Jeep: SUV (yet to be named)
• Kia: Niro EV, EV6
• Lexus: RZ 450E
• Lotus: Evija
• Lucid: Air, Gravity
• Mazda: MX-30
• Mercedes-Benz: EQB, EQA, EQS
• Mini Cooper: Hardtop Cooper S E
• Nissan: Leaf, Ariya
• Polestar: 1, 2, 3, 4
• Porsche: Taycan, Macan EV
• RAM: 1500 EV
• Rivian: R1T, R1S
• Sony: Vision S1, S2
• Subaru: Solterra
• Tesla: Model S, Cybertruck, Roadster
• Toyota: bZ4X
• VinFast: F8, F9
• Volkswagen: ID4
• Volvo: C40 Recharge

You will notice that the mainstream automakers in this group are also known for the internal combustion vehicles they build too. Of the 29 manufacturers, 23 of them still make gas-burning vehicles.

Diversify your automotive offerings

BMW’s Zipse noted that the supply of raw materials for EV batteries is sourced mainly from China. Barring unforeseen political circumstances, upheavals, or both, these batteries will be in wide supply. But that’s not something that should be taken for granted. Those 23 automakers aren’t taking it for granted either.

“If someone cannot buy an EV for some reason but needs a car, would you rather propose he continues to drive his old car forever? If you are not selling Internal combustion engines anymore, someone else will,” he told Reuters. By offering more fuel-efficient IC-powered vehicles, automakers can realize more profit and increase their environmental standings with the EPA and other regulatory agencies. It will also go a long way towards eliminating range anxiety facing most drivers of EVs today.

Think of it like this: In the early days of the Ford Model T, there wasn’t a gas station on every street corner like today. History is repeating itself with the electric car. Charging stations are few and far between and require a bit of effort. And they take a while to use, too. Now, with stations like Wawa and other brands, you can fuel and wash your car while picking up dinner for the family inside.

For the electric car, we aren’t there yet. But it’s only a matter of time. When the Electric Vehicle hits critical mass, expect a charging station on every street corner.