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Faced with climate urgency, the automobile industry faces the challenge of transitioning from combustion engines to electric ones, balancing costs, infrastructure and technological advances.
The transition from combustion engine to electric cars (EVs) represents a historic shift in global mobility. While environmentalists warn that without eliminating combustion engines, it will be impossible to reach zero-emissions goals, many consumers still view EVs as expensive and unaffordable options. This debate comes at a critical time for the climate, with the automotive industry at the center of this transformation.
A automotive industry, leading the transformation to electric cars, faces multiple challenges. Despite the energy efficiency of electric motors, the charging infrastructure is still insufficient. In Europe, for example, more than 50% of the charging infrastructure is concentrated in just two countries. In the United Kingdom, it is estimated that need for 400.000 chargers, highlighting the gap in investment needed to make EVs viable for everyday use.
China's power in the battery industry
China, anticipating the electric car revolution, specialized in batteries and now dominates much of the global supply chain. A growing need of batteries puts China in a position of significant power, challenging European industry to adapt quickly to avoid being overtaken by China's mass-produced electric vehicles.
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- Fiat Fire Engine: The first computer-designed engine that revolutionized the industry and now retires after 40 years
- Costing less than R$35, Fiat's popular car beats current models in the automotive market with a consumption of 13,5 km/L
The viability of synthetic fuels
Synthetic fuels emerge as a possible solution to make combustion engines greener. These fuels, although not as efficient as direct electrification, offer a alternative for sectors where electrification is not yet viable, such as aviation and long-distance shipping. Germany and the United Kingdom have shown interest in this technology, although its effectiveness is still debated.
The future of combustion engines and eletric cars
The complete elimination of internal combustion engines is still far away. Although the trend is towards increasing adoption of electric cars, combustion vehicles will continue to be on the roads for decades, especially in regions outside of Europe and the United States. The transition to EVs requires not only technological innovation, but also significant changes in infrastructure and consumer perception.
Thus, the automotive industry is at an inflection point, with EVs playing a crucial role in search for sustainability. However, the journey to an emissions-free future is complex, involving technological, economic and political challenges that need to be overcome.
