Which vehicles use combustion engines?

Most road, off‑road, rail, marine and air vehicles still use combustion engines today—including cars, SUVs, pickups, motorcycles, buses, heavy trucks, diesel locomotives, ships and boats, and most aircraft—while off‑road machinery and many military and emergency vehicles also rely on them. Despite rapid growth in electrification, internal combustion remains the dominant propulsion technology across much of the global fleet in 2024–2025.

Road vehicles

On public roads, combustion engines—mainly gasoline (petrol) and diesel—power the majority of vehicles worldwide. Hybrids, which pair an electric motor with a combustion engine, are increasingly common and still count as combustion-powered since the engine remains central to propulsion and range.

The following list outlines the main road categories that typically use combustion engines and their common fuel types or configurations.

• Passenger cars and SUVs: Predominantly gasoline spark‑ignition; diesel remains in use for some markets. Hybrids (HEV) and plug‑in hybrids (PHEV) combine batteries with gasoline or diesel engines.
• Pickup trucks and vans: Mix of gasoline and diesel, with turbocharged engines common; hybrid options are expanding, especially in North America and Asia.
• Motorcycles, scooters, and mopeds: Mostly small gasoline engines (increasingly four‑stroke; two‑stroke persists in some regions). Electric models are growing but remain a minority globally.
• Buses and coaches: Diesel dominant in intercity fleets; compressed or liquefied natural gas (CNG/LNG) in many urban fleets; hybrid and battery‑electric adoption rising in cities.
• Heavy‑duty trucks: Long‑haul tractors are largely diesel; some fleets use CNG/LNG; pilot programs for hydrogen internal‑combustion engines (H2‑ICE) and fuel cells are underway.

Taken together, the road sector remains primarily combustion‑based worldwide. Even as electric vehicle (EV) sales accelerate, the existing global vehicle stock—well over a billion units—will keep combustion engines prevalent for years.

Off‑road, agricultural, and industrial equipment

Beyond highways, work vehicles depend on robust, torquey engines that handle heavy loads and long duty cycles. Diesel is the dominant fuel due to efficiency and durability, with some gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG/propane) applications.

The list below highlights common off‑road vehicle types that use combustion engines.

• Farm machinery: Tractors, combines, and harvesters mainly use turbo‑diesel engines.
• Construction equipment: Excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders, graders, and cranes are typically diesel; compact electric models exist for specific use cases.
• Mining vehicles: Ultra‑class haul trucks and loaders often use large diesel engines, sometimes in diesel‑electric configurations.
• Material handling: Many forklifts and telehandlers run on diesel or LPG, particularly for outdoor or heavy‑duty tasks.
• Recreational off‑road: ATVs/UTVs and snowmobiles mostly use gasoline engines; electric options are emerging but niche.

While electrification is gaining ground in smaller or indoor equipment, diesel remains the workhorse for heavy off‑road applications where energy density and refueling speed are critical.

Rail

Rail networks mix electrified lines with non‑electrified corridors. Where overhead wires or third rails are absent, combustion engines provide traction—most often via diesel‑electric systems, in which a diesel engine drives a generator that powers electric traction motors.

Key rail vehicles using combustion engines include the following.

• Diesel‑electric locomotives: The backbone of freight operations in many countries; also used for intercity passenger services away from electrified routes.
• Diesel multiple units (DMUs): Self‑propelled passenger trains for regional lines without electrification.
• Yard switchers/shunters: Compact, maneuverable locomotives typically powered by diesel.

Hydrogen fuel‑cell and battery train pilots are expanding, but diesel remains widely used outside electrified corridors, especially for freight and regional services.

Marine and watercraft

From personal watercraft to container ships, marine propulsion overwhelmingly relies on combustion—chiefly diesel—due to high energy demands and long ranges. Gas turbines appear in select naval and high‑speed craft, and alternative fuels are in early deployment.

The next list details marine vehicle types and their common combustion powertrains.

• Ocean‑going cargo ships and tankers: Low‑speed two‑stroke marine diesels burning heavy fuel oil or very‑low‑sulfur fuel; dual‑fuel LNG engines are increasingly common.
• Naval vessels: Combinations of diesel engines and gas turbines (e.g., CODAG/CODOG); some submarines and carriers use nuclear propulsion.
• Ferries and tugs: Medium‑speed diesel engines dominate; hybrid‑electric and battery ferries are growing on short routes.
• Recreational boats and personal watercraft: Gasoline outboards/inboards and four‑stroke PWC engines; electric outboards are emerging for lakes and short trips.

Shipping is experimenting with methanol, ammonia, and biofuel blends to cut emissions, but combustion engines remain standard sea powerplants.

Aviation

Aviation is intrinsically combustion‑driven: jet fuel or avgas is burned in either piston engines or gas turbines. Electric and hybrid‑electric aircraft are in early testing for short‑range, small‑airframe applications, but commercial aviation relies overwhelmingly on combustion.

These are the principal aircraft categories powered by combustion engines.

• Piston aircraft: General aviation planes with spark‑ignition engines running on avgas; modern diesel (Jet A) piston engines are also used.
• Turboprops: Gas turbines driving propellers, common in regional aviation; they burn jet fuel (kerosene).
• Jets: Commercial airliners and business jets powered by turbofan or turbojet engines that combust jet fuel.
• Helicopters: Mostly turboshaft gas turbines; some light trainers use piston engines.

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blends are being scaled to lower lifecycle emissions, but the propulsion core remains combustion across most of the sector.

Specialized, emergency, and military vehicles

Mission‑critical vehicles prioritize range, refueling speed, and ruggedness. Combustion engines are entrenched due to operational demands and global fuel logistics.

The following examples illustrate where combustion is standard in specialized fleets.

• Emergency services: Fire trucks, ambulances, and many police vehicles commonly use diesel or gasoline; some urban fleets are trialing EVs and hybrids.
• Military ground vehicles: Armored personnel carriers and tactical trucks typically run diesel; some main battle tanks use gas turbines (e.g., the M1 Abrams).
• Specialty platforms: Airport ground support vehicles and mobile command units often rely on diesel for continuous operation.

While trials of hybrid or electric drivetrains exist, the high readiness requirements and austere operating environments keep combustion engines predominant in these roles.

Fuel types and engine technologies in use

“Combustion engines” encompass reciprocating internal combustion engines and gas turbines. A wide fuel spectrum is used across vehicle classes as industries balance performance, cost, and emissions.

Below are the main combustion technologies and fuels powering vehicles today.

• Gasoline (petrol) spark‑ignition: Common in cars, motorcycles, small boats, and some light aircraft (avgas).
• Diesel compression‑ignition: Dominant in heavy trucks, buses, rail, off‑road equipment, and most ships.
• Gas turbines: Turbofan/turbojet/turboshaft/turboprop engines in aircraft; also used in some naval vessels and select armored vehicles.
• Gaseous fuels: CNG/LNG for buses and trucks; LPG/propane for forklifts and some taxis; biogas in limited fleets.
• Biofuels and e‑fuels: Biodiesel, renewable diesel (HVO), ethanol blends, SAF for aviation, and methanol/ammonia pilots in shipping; synthetic e‑fuels remain limited but are a permitted pathway for new ICE cars under EU rules after 2035 if they use certified e‑fuels only.
• Hydrogen ICE: Early‑stage pilots in heavy trucks, construction equipment, and motorsport; not yet widely deployed.

These technologies reflect a spectrum from mature (diesel, gasoline) to emerging (e‑fuels, hydrogen ICE), with adoption shaped by infrastructure, regulation, and cost.

Trends shaping the future mix

Electrification is advancing quickly but unevenly. According to the International Energy Agency, EVs accounted for roughly 18% of global new car sales in 2023, with growth continuing in 2024, especially in China and Europe. Still, the global vehicle stock remains overwhelmingly combustion‑powered due to long asset lifetimes.

Policy signals are strong but varied: the European Union plans to require zero tailpipe CO2 for new cars from 2035 with a carve‑out for e‑fuel‑only ICE; the United Kingdom targets 2035 for ending new petrol/diesel car sales; California and several other U.S. states aim for 100% zero‑emission new light‑duty sales by 2035; Canada has a similar 2035 target. Heavy‑duty emissions standards are tightening in the U.S., EU, and elsewhere, pushing efficiency improvements, hybridization, and alternative fuels for trucks and buses.

In sectors where batteries face weight and range limits—aviation, ocean shipping, and much heavy off‑road work—combustion engines are likely to remain central for the medium term, with decarbonization focused on fuel switching (SAF, methanol, ammonia, renewable diesel) and efficiency gains.

Summary

Combustion engines power the vast majority of vehicles across road, rail, sea, air, and off‑road applications: cars and trucks, motorcycles and buses, diesel locomotives, ships and boats, helicopters and jets, farm and construction equipment, and many military and emergency vehicles. Fuels range from gasoline and diesel to jet fuel, LNG/CNG, LPG, biofuels, and emerging e‑fuels and hydrogen. While EVs and hybrids are reshaping parts of the market—especially light‑duty road transport—combustion remains the backbone of global mobility and heavy industry, with decarbonization in many segments hinging on cleaner fuels and higher efficiency rather than a near‑term wholesale shift away from combustion.

Why are car makers going back to combustion engines?

Instead of focusing on a purely electric future, it is looking to produce more combustion and hybrid models again. Customers in both the US and Europe have been slower to switch to electric cars than many manufacturers had hoped, due to problems with the charging infrastructure and high purchase prices.

What cars use combustion engines?

Gasoline and diesel vehicles are similar. They both use internal combustion engines. A gasoline car typically uses a spark-ignited internal combustion engine, rather than the compression-ignited systems used in diesel vehicles.

Does a Tesla use a combustion engine?

Unlike traditional cars, Teslas do not have a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE). Instead, they are powered by electric motors. These motors draw energy from large battery packs located in the car’s floor, which store electricity to power the vehicle.

What is a car that requires no gas?

Cars that don’t use gas are typically Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) that run entirely on electricity stored in a rechargeable battery. Other options include Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) that use hydrogen to generate electricity, and some types of solar cars that use solar panels to charge their batteries.
 
Types of Gas-Free Cars

• Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs): Opens in new tabThese vehicles have no gasoline engine. They use electric motors powered by a large battery pack that can be recharged from the electrical grid. This makes them zero-emission vehicles at the point of operation, according to Wikipedia. 
• Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs): Opens in new tabFCEVs store hydrogen in a tank and use fuel cells to convert it into electricity, which then powers the vehicle. The byproduct of this reaction is water. 
• Solar Electric Vehicles (SEVs): Opens in new tabThese are electric vehicles equipped with solar panels that help charge the battery. While some can generate a small amount of power from the sun, most also require plugging in to fully recharge. 

Examples and Considerations

• Electric Vehicles (EVs): Opens in new tabBrands like Tesla are well-known examples of BEVs. Many major global automakers are also gradually shifting their vehicle lineups to electric models, notes Quora. 
• Experimental Technology: Opens in new tabWhile solar cars like the “Opterra” exist and are promising, they are still experimental and not yet in mass production for widespread daily use. 
• Hydrogen Fuel Cells: Opens in new tabAlthough FCEVs offer potential advantages, the infrastructure for producing and distributing hydrogen is still developing, and their effectiveness depends on the source of the hydrogen, according to YouTube.