The question I get more than any other when people find out what I do for a living is, “When will EVs take over?” EVs are making tremendous strides. The carmakers are making cooler, more exciting electric cars, and consumers are responding. However, there are still a few major hurdles that have to be addressed before EVs can become the majority. Due to some of these issues, gas cars will be with us for the foreseeable future. 

When will gas cars go away? 

According to a report by Reuters, Stellantis’ Senior VP Christian Mueller believes that many of the current run of Stellantis products will still be thumping around well into the coming decades. Honestly, it’s difficult to conceive of any other possibility. 

Now, it’s important to note that this somewhat contrarian stance comes on the heels of an announcement that Stellantis is partnering with energy company Aramco to develop and use synthetic e-fuels. While Aramco does its experiments, Stellantis is working to find engine candidates that might pair well with a synthetic fuel. 

Are there any synthetic fuel options? 

According to Reuters, 24 different engines used in European testing by various brands took the fuel and ran just fine without any modifications. The e-fuel is created by reacting carbon dioxide with hydrogen, and Stellantis claims it can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions from vehicles by 70 percent.

Alternative fuels are an awfully exciting prospect. However, this research joins many other attempts to crack this code. 

Are Stellantis brands making EVs? 

Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, and Vauxhall are some of the main brands owned by Stellantis. We know each of these brands is working on or has already produced some hybrid and electric vehicles. Despite the parent company’s belief in e-fuel vehicles, the Dare Forward 2023 plan is still in effect. This plan aims to have an all-EV lineup in Europe by 2030.

“We are exploring all solutions to reinforce our ambitious strategy of becoming a carbon net zero company by 2038,” said Stellantis Chief Engineering and Technology Officer Ned Curic. “Drop-in e-fuels can have a massive and almost immediate impact on reducing the CO2 emissions of the existing vehicle fleet, offering our customers an easy and economically efficient option to reduce their carbon footprint – one as simple as choosing a different fuel pump at the station, with no additional modification to their vehicles.”