New batteries make combustion engines obsolete – anyone who denies this is living in the past

New battery technologies put an end to old excuses: range, charging time and durability make the combustion engine look outdated – and finally question its right to exist.

One of the most persistent debates simply refuses to die: The question of whether the combustion engine can somehow be saved in mass mobility continues to loom over the talk show landscape. Yet the decision has long been made. While some politicians sing the praises of gasoline engines , the reality of battery development is passing them by at breathtaking speed. Anyone who still claims that there is "no alternative" to the combustion engine either lacks perspective or has an ideological problem. New battery technologies are making the combustion engine obsolete.

A spirit of optimism has long prevailed in the development departments of battery manufacturers. The next generation of cells is no longer just a paper document; it is imminently being launched on the market. There are many examples of this. The US start-up Factorial Energy , in which Stellantis has invested, reports ranges of over 600 kilometers, charging times of under 20 minutes, and full functionality even at temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius. And all this with solid-state cells.

Volkswagen is also accelerating its QuantumScape project. The Californian company is currently developing a completely new separator structure that will enable the scalability of its solid-state cells. The goal: a series-production battery with twice the energy density of today's cells, without cobalt, and with a significantly reduced fire risk.

There's also movement on the cost side. General Motors and LG Energy Solution are working on a new cell chemistry with a particularly high manganese content. These LMR cells completely eliminate cobalt, use cheaper materials, and are expected to reduce battery costs per kilowatt-hour by up to $30. At the same time, the range will increase to over 600 kilometers.

And then there's the breakthrough in battery lifespan. The Munich-based startup Pulsetrain is developing an integrated battery system that combines charging electronics, an inverter, and a management system – and uses AI to significantly slow cell aging. The battery lifespan is expected to be extended by up to 80 percent, with operating times of 15 to 18 years realistic.

In China, they've gone one step further. The first vehicles with sodium-ion batteries are rolling off the production line there. These batteries not only eliminate the need for lithium, but also rely on inexpensive, readily available materials. CATL and BYD , which already have the first production models with these batteries on the market, promise a range of 500 kilometers and thousands of charging cycles.

The new technologies are not only more sustainable than the lithium-ion batteries used previously, they are also cheaper to produce and have a higher energy density. This means the cars have a longer range. Manufacturers can optionally install a smaller battery, which significantly reduces the weight of the vehicles.

The facts can no longer be ignored: Technically, the combustion engine is outdated. Economically, it's becoming increasingly unattractive. And ecologically, it's always been that way anyway. The new generation of batteries is making electric mobility accessible to the masses. With ranges that cover everyday use, short charging times, and durability that easily lasts the lifetime of the car. It's time to put an end to the myth of the superior combustion engine once and for all.