The demise of the internal combustion engine
Today whilst driving from a meeting I was listening to the local news/debate show on the radio. I often do this because on occasion there is an interesting topic. Today's main topic was fracking which in itself is of no real interest to me: I am neither for nor against it and I know there are many who can present a strong argument for each side but that's not the point I'm making here, it's more of an introduction to what IS my point.
As the title suggests, the internal combustion engine .....is it on it's way out? I ask this because of the content of the aforementioned debate. One contributor to the radio show mentioned that BMW have stated (somewhere, I don't know where and he didn't say) that after 2020 they will drastically reduce the amount of time and effort they place on the development of engines as we currently know them. Their emphasis will apparently go toward electric/hybrid development.
Whilst this is nothing new in real terms I do find it rather sad. Yes there could/will be many benefits to our planet, our economy and whatever else but the thought of good old petrol engined motorcycles becoming a distant memory is kinda removing part of the appeal of them. I know it won't happen overnight and I can't see any law banning bikes (or cars) from using petrol being brought in in a hurry but the slow demise of the sound and smell of 'oily things' will ultimately remove a huge part of the appeal.
Some people call it progress and to a great extent I understand their point. But it's still somewhat sad when we look to the future and see it with a lot less of the sounds and smells that so many of us have come to love.
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