Do all cars have an internal combustion engine?

No. An increasing share of cars are built without an internal combustion engine (ICE), notably battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). Hybrids and plug-in hybrids still include an ICE, but purely electric models do not. As EV adoption accelerates worldwide, a growing proportion of cars on the road run without any gasoline or diesel engine.

What the question really asks

When people ask whether all cars have an internal combustion engine, they’re often probing whether “electric cars” are truly engine-free and how widespread they’ve become. The short answer is that many modern cars do not have an ICE at all—especially BEVs and FCEVs—which rely on electric motors. Meanwhile, hybrids pair an ICE with electric components, and conventional vehicles remain ICE-only.

Powertrains at a glance

The following list explains the main types of passenger-car powertrains you’ll encounter today and whether each includes an internal combustion engine.

• ICE-only (gasoline/diesel): Traditional engines that burn fuel to produce power. These cars have an ICE and no traction battery for propulsion.
• Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV): Combines an ICE with a small battery and electric motor for efficiency; cannot be plugged in. These cars have an ICE.
• Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV): Has a larger battery you can charge plus an ICE for longer range. These cars have an ICE.
• Battery-electric vehicle (BEV): Runs entirely on electricity stored in a battery and powered by one or more electric motors. No ICE.
• Fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV): Uses hydrogen to generate electricity via a fuel cell; propulsion is electric. No ICE.

Taken together, BEVs and FCEVs are the primary categories of cars that do not have internal combustion engines; hybrids and plug-in hybrids do.

How common are non-ICE cars now?

Non-ICE cars—primarily BEVs—are no longer niche. According to the International Energy Agency’s 2024 reporting, global EV sales (BEVs + PHEVs) reached roughly 14 million in 2023, accounting for about 18% of new car sales. The IEA projected further growth in 2024 toward more than 20% of global sales. BEVs make up the majority of these EV sales, meaning a significant share of new cars today are built without any ICE. Cumulatively, over 40 million EVs were on the road worldwide by the end of 2023. FCEVs remain a tiny fraction—tens of thousands globally—but they also have no ICE.

Regional dynamics vary: China leads with EVs around a third of new car sales in 2023, Europe surpassed one-fifth, and the United States approached around one-tenth, with BEVs dominant among EVs. Hybrids (HEVs) have also grown quickly in several markets, but they do include an ICE.

Why some cars have no engine at all

Several technological and policy factors drive the growth of engine-less (electric-motor) cars.

• Efficiency: Electric motors convert a higher share of energy into motion than ICEs, lowering energy use per mile.
• Emissions: BEVs and FCEVs have zero tailpipe emissions; lifecycle emissions depend on electricity or hydrogen sources but trend downward as grids decarbonize.
• Performance: Instant torque, smooth acceleration, and fewer moving parts contribute to a different driving experience and potentially lower maintenance.
• Policy: Incentives, fuel-economy standards, and zero-emission targets (e.g., the EU’s 2035 new-car CO2 rules with limited e-fuel exceptions; tightening U.S. EPA standards) push markets toward non-ICE options.
• Infrastructure progress: Rapid expansion of public charging and improvements in battery range make BEVs practical for more drivers.

These advantages are balanced by considerations such as charging access, cold-weather range impacts, and upfront costs—factors that are improving but still shape adoption rates.

How to tell if a car has an internal combustion engine

If you’re unsure whether a specific model includes an ICE, look for these practical indicators.

• Tailpipe: BEVs and FCEVs typically have no tailpipe; any visible exhaust pipe almost certainly means an ICE is present.
• Fuel door vs. charge port: A gasoline/diesel filler plus a charge port usually indicates a PHEV; only a charge port suggests a BEV; only a fuel door suggests ICE or HEV.
• Badging: Labels such as “EV,” “BEV,” “Fuel Cell,” “Electric,” “Plug-in Hybrid,” or “Hybrid” often clarify the powertrain.
• Engine bay: BEVs may have a “frunk” or a compact power electronics layout instead of an engine block.
• Operating sounds: BEVs are generally quiet at low speeds, lacking engine noise or vibration.

Taken together, these cues can quickly distinguish a no-ICE electric car from hybrid or conventional ICE models.

Outlook

The share of cars without internal combustion engines is set to continue rising, led by BEVs as battery costs decline, range improves, and charging networks expand. Policy trajectories in major markets support this shift, though ICE and hybrid vehicles will continue to coexist for years, especially where charging is limited or for specific use cases. Hydrogen FCEVs may grow in niches, but BEVs remain the primary non-ICE technology in passenger cars for now.

Summary

No, not all cars have an internal combustion engine. Battery-electric and fuel-cell electric vehicles use electric motors and contain no ICE, while hybrids and plug-in hybrids do include one. EVs now represent a significant and growing share of new car sales worldwide, with BEVs leading the move away from combustion engines as technology and infrastructure advance.

What is the difference between an internal combustion engine and a normal engine?

The key difference between an internal and external combustion engine is where combustion occurs. The former are efficient and compact, making them ideal for vehicles, while the latter are quieter and can use diverse fuels but are bulkier and less efficient.

What vehicles have an external combustion engine?

Steam car. A steam car is a car (automobile) propelled by a steam engine. A steam engine is an external combustion engine (ECE), whereas the gasoline and diesel engines that eventually became standard are internal combustion engines (ICE).

Why are combustion engines being banned?

Reasons for banning the further sale of fossil fuel vehicles include: reducing health risks from pollution particulates, notably diesel PM10s, and other emissions, notably nitrogen oxides; meeting national greenhouse gas, such as CO2, targets under international agreements such as the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris …

Do all cars have internal combustion engines?

While there are several different types of engines, when it comes to size and layout, all late-model vehicles (apart from hybrid electric models) use the internal combustion engine. Combustion is the process that results from energy being released from the fuel and air mixture present inside an engine.