Gasoline-Powered Hyundais Are Here To Stay

Earlier this year, BMW CEO Oliver Zipse saidsomething rather brave (and refreshingly honest): he warned against a premature ban on ICE engines, noting "It would be harmful to simply give up a technology in which you have a global market position. I don't think that would help the climate or anyone else."

Despite this, the German company is ensuring it will have something for everyone, be it gasoline-powered, electric, or hybrid. And it seems Hyundai is heading in the same direction if Albert Biermann's comments are anything to go by. The company's executive technical advisor toldCarExpertthat Hyundai will continue to develop ICE engines alongside EVs and hydrogen vehicles.

"We are continuing for [the] next emission levels [in internal combustion development]. We have no other choices. I mean, we are not giving up on combustion engines, right, we are [a] global player," he confirmed.

While this may outrage some environmentalists, the reasoning behind Hyundai's decision is sound. "There is no infrastructure available for EVs for quite some time in several regions," added Biermann. This makes plenty of sense. While Europe, some regions of the United States, and more developed parts of Asia can accommodate EVs, the greater majority of the world markets cannot.

更重要的是,电动汽车是昂贵的比their ICE contemporaries, placing them out of reach for many. So, will Hyundai continue to improve existing engines, or has the company invested in next-generation ICE powerplants? Biermann kept his cards close to his chest but alluded to the former.

"We [will] keep going with combustion engines but will we set up a whole new combustion engine family? Yeah, I mean, you have to follow the emission regulations and that requires sometimes intense development. Euro 7, for example, is quite challenging. So that's on the agenda."