- Bosch believes gas-powered cars will account for 70 percent of the North American market in 2035.
- Combustion engines will likely function as hybrids or range extenders.
- Automakers are embracing hybrids as interest and subsidies for electric vehicles wane.
Gas-powered cars aren’t going anywhere—but they won’t be alone in propelling tomorrow’s vehicles. Bosch believes that 70 percent of cars in North America through 2035 will still come with internal combustion engines, but they might be used in hybrids or as range extenders.
“We’ve been very balanced on our approach to electrification, to hybrids and to, let’s call it ‘natural propulsion’ [gas-powered vehicles], ” said Paul Thomas, president of Bosch in North America, according to our colleagues at InsideEVs.
While gasoline engines aren’t disappearing, automakers are embracing hybrids. That includes series hybrids where the engine only ever charges the car’s battery.
Ford recently announced it would turn the electric Lightning into an extended-range EV, adding an on-board generator. Scout will offer its two upcoming EVs with an on-board generator, and the next-generation Rogue will feature Nissan’s E-Power hybrid system.
Despite the company’s belief that gas-powered cars are sticking around in one form or another, it also thinks “battery-electric vehicles will still have a place in the market,” according to Thomas, and will account for 30 percent of the market in the United States a decade from now.
Motor1’s Take: The recent pullback in EV subsidies in the United States and changing emissions regulations will make it harder for automakers to sell electric vehicles to consumers, proving the gasoline engine just won’t die. That doesn’t negate the benefits electrification can add, like increased performance and efficiency, which could be reasons why hybrid sales are increasing in America.
