The number of gas-powered cars might start to reduce from 2032. And that’s because of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This agency has announced stricter emission regulations that would force automakers to shift fully to EV production by 2032. At least 67% of all vehicles manufactured from 2032 will be electric.
Besides, major car markets such as California aim to adopt electric vehicles to reduce carbon monoxide congestion in the air. As more cities are likely to follow suit, 82% of vehicles produced from 2032 will be electric. And that means the future of gas cars isn’t as bright as Petrolheads would love it to be. But does that mean automakers won’t make gas cars completely?
This post explores what the future might look like for gas-powered vehicles. It will also look at the evolution of these vehicles and the market trends, among a few more things. So read on for more information!
Evolution of Gas Cars
Gas cars have been around since the late 19th century. They’re now more powerful and fuel-efficient than they were during their sputtering beginnings. Understanding how these cars have evolved requires you to see how they looked like during specific periods:
Early Days of Gas Cars (1870s-1900s)
Before we could have a gas-powered car, some people had to make an internal combustion engine (ICE) first. Thankfully, Étienne Lenoir and Samuel Brown were the people needed; they made the first internal combustion engine. Then, Nikolaus Otto made improvements and came up with a four-stroke cycle engine.
However, it wasn’t until Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler made the first commercially viable engines in the 1880s that vehicles began using a powerful propulsion system. Early gas cars in this period were basically horseless carriages with engines.
Gas Car Refinement (1900s-1970s)
During this period, it was clear that engines were faster and more powerful than horses. Now, automakers fitted cars with gas engines. However, cars were reserved only for the rich, while automakers wanted to expand their production and profit margins.
That means also the middle class had to afford cars for automakers to net in more profit. Henry Ford invented a moving assembly line in 1908 that increased the volume of vehicle production. Now, automakers could make more affordable cars that even the middle class could afford.
Factories had the equipment to make better vehicles fast. Engineers had enough time to improve the gas engine. One thing they improved was the fuel system; engines now had carburettors to mix fuel and air in the correct ratio to increase combustion. As a result, engines were even more powerful than in the previous period.
Also, there was an increasing demand for power and performance from vehicles. Engineers had to respond, and they surely did by making multi-cylinder engines with electric starters. If you lived in this period, you no longer had to use a hand crank to start the engine.
Of course, more cylinders made gas cars more powerful. This was the era of powerful muscle cars. But all that power would spell disaster if vehicles didn’t have safety features. So, safety also became a priority in auto manufacturing. During this period, vehicles didn’t have many safety features except a windshield and improved brakes.
Modern Gas Cars (1970s – Present)
Automakers reduced production of muscle cars because of the oil crisis in the 70s. But more importantly, stricter emission regulations forced automakers to make fewer muscle cars. What’s more, muscle cars were impractical and emitted a lot of smoke.
So, automakers shifted to making vehicles with a boxy shape for practicality and functionality. Not only were these vehicles practical, but they were also safe, especially with the federal mandate for padded dashboards. Gas vehicles had catalytic converters to reduce carbon emissions.
The oil crisis forced gas vehicles to be more energy efficient to reduce the depletion of finite resources like petroleum. Gas vehicles started incorporating electronic fuel injection. Additionally, gas vehicles prioritized aerodynamics to reduce drags that increased fuel consumption.
The dashboard had digital gauges and boasted a futuristic feel. Later, in 1980, automakers started making sports utility vehicles (SUVs). The interior comfort was given meticulous attention to detail to give gas-powered SUVs a plush comfort.
Technological Advancements
Gas cars previously used carburettors. But, they soon started to use electronic fuel injection (EFI) to create a better fuel-air mixture. This new system improved fuel economy and engine power output. Turbocharged engines use direct injection (GDI) to get fuel into the cylinder for greater power and efficiency.
Some vehicles even use Variable Valve Timing (VVT) for optimized power, depending on the driving condition. Also, gas cars use turbochargers and superchargers to force more air into the cylinders and increase power output without a vehicle having a large engine.
Some vehicles can also deactivate some cylinders to conserve fuel during a light load cruising. As many vehicles use the catalytic converter to reduce carbon emissions, some cars use Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR), which is more efficient at minimizing nitrogen oxide emissions.
More technological advancements are witnessed in the transmission system. Today’s cars have 10-speed automatic transmissions for optimized engine RPMs. But, the best advancement is seen in gas cars’ continuous variable transmissions (CVTs), which improve fuel efficiency.
With lightweight materials such as aluminum and carbon fibers gracing gas cars, vehicles are now much faster and more energy efficient.
Laws and Regulations
Every country has its traffic safety administration that regulates gas vehicles. The administration checks the crashworthiness of the vehicle. Gas cars have crumple zones to cushion occupants. They must also have a particular body strength that satisfies the traffic safety administration.
Environmental agencies also control gas cars. They check the emission levels to ensure gas vehicles don’t affect the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates tailpipe emissions for vehicles in the US.
Market Trends of Gas Cars
Analysis of the market trends for gas cars shows a steady decline in demand for these cars. Gas cars are losing to electric vehicles. Government regulations on tailpipe emissions have driven many people to buy electric cars.
As the cities levy a carbon tax, many people opt for electric vehicles. But that doesn’t mean people prefer electric vehicles because they don’t want to pay carbon tax. On the contrary, electric vehicles are becoming more powerful and accelerate faster than gas cars.
Electric vehicles produce instant torque and have a much faster acceleration. People looking for a sporty feel and response from a car will find electric vehicles a formidable option. Also, gas prices continue to rise, increasing the cost of owning a gas car.
On the other hand, charging an EV is cheaper since hydro-power costs less than fossil fuels. There are forces driving consumers to electric vehicles. And the future of gas cars seems bleak.
Market Trends of Electric Cars
Electric vehicle manufacturers are experiencing soaring sales every year. The sales in 2023 were 35% higher than in the previous year, according to data from the International Energy Agency. As more consumers embrace electric vehicles, the sales of electric vehicles are projected to increase further.
The government is a major player in increasing EV sales; it offers tax reliefs and subsidies to electric vehicle automakers. What’s more, the government is installing more public charging facilities. Government giving subsidies to automakers means there are more funds for research.
Automakers can now do more research to improve battery technology. As a result, electric vehicles can have batteries with improved capacities to carry more charge. Battery-powered EVs can travel almost the same range as gas cars at reduced costs. And this is a major reason why consumers prefer EVs.
The Effect of Electric Cars Entering the Market
Electric vehicles have both positive and negative effects despite many people seeing them as impacting the environment only positively.
Positive Effects
Electric vehicles have positive effects on the environment and energy sector. First, they contribute to zero carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Therefore, EVs don’t pollute cities with smoke and carbon. At the same time, EVs have demanded cleaner energy generation through solar and wind power. They help countries develop their energy sector to meet the demand for clean energy.
Negative Effects
Making EV battery packs requires mining lithium metals on a large scale. However, lithium mining requires enormous amounts of water to cool the rigs. This could lead to the depletion of water resources. What’s more, disposing of lithium-ion batteries in landfills pollutes the soil.
When EVs finally replace all gas cars, they will strain the national electrical grids by demanding a lot of energy. Governments will have no option but to upgrade their grids to meet the demands; this will divert tax money from essential developments.
Effect on Gas Cars
EVs will reduce the market share of gas cars. EVs are more affordable since they cost less to charge and break down less often. As a result, many people see them as affordable vehicles. Governments also impose strict emission regulations, resulting in many consumers switching to EVs to conform to the new regulations.
Effect on Laws
When every city will crawl with EVs in the future, governments will relax their strictness on carbon emission regulations. But, the government will shift its attention to more stringent Battery Recycling and Disposal. Besides, the chemicals in the lithium-ion battery pack might spill into the ground and exterminate essential soil organisms.
Effect on Technological Factors
As automakers make more electric vehicles than gas-powered cars, they’ll make EVs with increased range and charging speeds. Gas-powered vehicles might become very few in years to come. But they take a few minutes to put gas into their tanks.
EVs will have to have these benefits if they’re to retain a significant market share. Already, EVs have fast DC chargers that can put 80% of power in 30 minutes (or less). This charging time is poised to reduce, ensuring you get more range in a few minutes!
Effect on the Environment
EVs will reduce carbon emissions into the air. Fewer carbon footprints mean improved air quality. As a result, cities will have clean air. They will also reduce reliance on oil and prevent the depletion of finite resources. Countries will also develop their energy resources to meet the increasing demand for EV charging.
However, EVs will also have some negative impacts on the environment. First, manufacturing the battery relies heavily on water resources. It could deplete some water reservoirs. Additionally, EV batteries might cause ugly dumpsite scenes and affect essential soil organisms.
What Will Happen to Gas Cars in the Future
Automakers will reduce production of gas-powered cars. But this depends on the demand for electric cars. If consumers demand electric cars for their reduced impact on climate change, automakers will make more EVs. At the end of the day, it’s consumers who determine what automakers make in their production lines. But there’s a likelihood a section of consumers will demand gas cars. EVs might outnumber gas cars. But that doesn’t mean we won’t see a few gas cars cruising down the streets.
Conclusion
The future of gas cars doesn’t look great as more consumers embrace electric vehicles. Many people want EVs for their reduced impact on the environment. Not only do they emit fewer carbon footprints, but they’re also more affordable. You’ll pay less for electricity compared to fuel prices.
What’s more, EVs have more advanced batteries that carry more charge, increasing the range of your travel. Automakers are also making fast chargers to boost the battery power in a few minutes. These technological advancements encourage more consumers to prefer electric vehicles.
But there are a few consumers who will want gas cars for their unlimited range. Aside from this benefit, gas stations are easy to find and adding fuel takes minutes. Some people love the sound of the revving engine. So, there are always people choosing gas cars over electric cars. Expect to see both cars on our roads in the future. Buy a car that matches your driving taste and aesthetics, and live your life how you want it.
