Setting the stage for a discussion we all need to have: EV vs Combustion
Let’s just say it upfront: this isn’t going to be a technical breakdown of kilowatts vs horsepower. This isn’t “which is faster in a straight line” or “how much torque can you get from a cold start.” We’re not doing spec-sheet sword fights today.
We’re talking preference. Culture. Emotion. The why behind what we drive—not just what we can afford or what the tax credit says.
And before we dive in: hybrids are benched for this round. They’re like the folks who “don’t pick sides” in a street fight. Useful, sure. But for the sake of this conversation, we’re sticking to the clean binary—electric or combustion.
So here’s where I stand:
The Love Letter to Combustion
There’s something about a combustion engine that an EV just can’t replicate.
It’s the sound. That guttural growl, that snappy upshift, that downshift crackle. It’s the smell of fuel—whether it’s the faint hint on a Sunday morning drive or the full sensory blast at the track. It’s the physicality. The weight. The vibration. The connection between throttle and response that feels less like electronics and more like intent made mechanical.
You don’t turn on a great combustion car—you wake it up.
That feeling stays with you.
There’s also the mechanical honesty of it all. The pistons. The cams. The fact that you can hear and feel when something’s off—and sometimes fix it yourself. There’s heritage there. Generational knowledge. You don’t pass down a touchscreen interface—you pass down a six-speed manual, a garage full of tools, and stories about the time your dad rebuilt a carburetor with nothing but duct tape and hope.
Combustion engines are flawed. They’re loud. They’re dirty. They’re less efficient. But they are alive. And for many of us, that’s the entire point.
The EV Reality (And Yes, I’m Looking)
Let’s be honest, though. The EV wave isn’t coming—it’s already here. And whether we like it or not, we’ll all be paddling in that direction eventually. I’m not above that.
I’ve been researching EVs. Not to make a statement. Not to prove a point. But because, frankly, they make sense.
They’re efficient. They’re clean—relatively. And in some ways, they’re the logical evolution of urban mobility. Especially in a city like LA where traffic isn’t a factor, it’s a full-blown lifestyle.
They’re also fun. Instant torque is real. The silence of the drive has its own strange appeal. And the tech? It’s impressive. From regenerative braking to adaptive cruise systems that basically drive for you—EVs are proof that automation isn’t the future, it’s already parked in the garage.
But here’s the thing: I don’t want a laptop with wheels. I want a machine that respects its lineage. I want design language, heritage, philosophy—not just touchscreen real estate and acceleration that makes you question your spinal alignment.
This is why I’ll never buy a Tesla. Say what you want about their tech—and yes, it’s impressive—but the build quality feels like someone hit “submit” before proofreading the CAD file. No soul. No identity. Just speed and smugness.
So if I go EV—and I will—it’s going to be from a brand that knows what driving used to feel like and is trying to carry at least some of that DNA forward.
Right now, that short list includes Audi, Porsche, Lexus, and BMW. Brands that have put in the time. Built the legacy. And aren’t just showing up late to the party trying to reinvent cool with door handles that don’t make sense.
What the Numbers Say (Because Emotion Isn’t Everything)
Let’s zoom out and look at where the world is headed.
According to recent data from the International Energy Agency, EV sales surpassed 14 million units in 2023. That’s more than 18% of all cars sold globally. The U.S. alone saw a 50% year-over-year jump. These aren’t fringe numbers. EVs are mainstream.
Consumer sentiment? Mixed, but evolving. A 2024 Consumer Reports study found that while nearly 70% of drivers are open to going electric, concerns around cost, range anxiety, and charging infrastructure still hold people back. Translation: people like the idea of EVs—but they’re still figuring out how to make the leap.
Tesla continues to dominate the EV market in the U.S., but legacy automakers like Ford, GM, and Hyundai are closing the gap quickly. Porsche’s Taycan is winning over performance purists. BMW’s i4 is quietly making waves among the understated elite. And Audi’s e-tron line is proving that function doesn’t have to look like a melted soap bar.
On the other hand, internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles still account for the lion’s share of new sales. Why? Familiarity. Infrastructure. And let’s be real—emotion. People still love driving cars that feel like cars.
And Then There’s the Math
Let’s not pretend this isn’t part of the equation.
EVs come with lower operating costs: no oil changes, fewer moving parts, and cheaper fueling—if you’re charging at home. But that upfront cost? Still high. Tax incentives help, but depreciation hits EVs differently. Try trading in a four-year-old EV and see how the numbers feel.
And infrastructure? Spotty. LA is decent. The Bay Area is solid. But stray too far into rural territory and your “road trip” becomes a “wait-and-pray.”
So for many of us, the EV equation looks like this: if it makes sense for your commute, if you have charging access, and if you can tolerate the aesthetics—it’s a smart move.
But if you live for canyon runs, late-night drives, and that moment when your car downshifts and your soul responds? Then yeah, the heart still beats for combustion.
What About You?
I’m setting this one up because I want to hear from the car people—the real ones. The ones who know what it’s like to wrench on something until 2am just to get that perfect sound. The ones who’ve named their cars. The ones who feel a little dead inside when they see a soulless fleet of white Model Ys in a Whole Foods parking lot.
Where do you stand?
- Are you EV-only now and loving it?
- Still holding tight to your V8 dreams?
- Somewhere in between but leaning hard one way?
Are you in it for the performance, the practicality, or the poetry of it all?
Let’s find out.
Let’s talk.
Where do you fall on the EV vs combustion spectrum?
Are you loyal to the old world or building a garage that spans both?
Drop a comment—no judgment, just honest car talk.
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