Even the most ardent internal combustion engine (ICE) fan cannot deny their inherent downsides. Despite being a compact, potent and flexible source of power, ICEs are immensely wasteful. Around 70% of the energy that is released by the liquid fuel is squandered as heat, although heavy oil (diesel) has a distinct advantage over petrol in this respect. The other issue centres on exhaust gases.
Especially this century, the motor industry has battled to square the circle of reducing carbon dioxide emissions, while meeting increasingly stringent anti-pollution laws.
Ultimately, it cheated and was caught out. While ‘diesel-gate’ was the result, developments in petrol technology to cut fuel consumption and CO2 also created more harmful toxins, ironically. Directinjection petrol, for instance, produces over 1000 times more cancer-causing soot particulates than earlier portinjection designs, meaning that gasoline particulate filters (GPFs) are being introduced on some current models.
While ICEs were reaching their developmental limits, electronics were maturing faster than ever, not just as means to control engine fuelling and ignition functions but also
