What Vehicles Use Internal Combustion Engines?

Most road cars, trucks, and buses; nearly all motorcycles and scooters; a wide range of off‑road machines; many boats and ships; most aircraft; and the majority of locomotives use internal combustion engines (ICEs). While electrification is accelerating in passenger transport and city buses, ICEs remain the backbone of global mobility and heavy industry due to energy density, cost, and refueling speed.

How Internal Combustion Engines Power Transport

Internal combustion engines burn fuel—such as gasoline, diesel, natural gas, propane, biofuels, synthetic e‑fuels, or even hydrogen—to produce mechanical power. In many road and rail applications, the engine either drives the wheels directly or runs a generator in a hybrid or diesel‑electric setup. In aviation and marine, ICEs take the form of piston engines and gas turbines (jet and turboshaft engines) or large marine diesels, providing reliable power over long ranges where batteries are still weight- or volume-constrained.

Vehicles That Commonly Use ICEs Today

The following categories summarize where internal combustion engines are prevalent across global transport and machinery, spanning personal mobility to heavy-duty and specialized applications.

• Passenger road vehicles (sedans, SUVs, crossovers, pickups)
• Commercial road vehicles (light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks; delivery vans; intercity and many city buses)
• Two- and three-wheelers (motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, tuk-tuks)
• Off-road recreational vehicles (ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, snowmobiles, personal watercraft)
• Agriculture and forestry equipment (tractors, harvesters, skidders, chainsaws)
• Construction and mining equipment (excavators, loaders, bulldozers, haul trucks, generators for mobile power)
• Marine vessels (outboard/inboard boats, ferries, workboats, most cargo ships and tankers)
• Aviation (piston aircraft; gas-turbine jets, turbofans, turboprops, turboshaft helicopters)
• Rail (diesel and diesel-electric locomotives, especially on non-electrified routes)
• Military and defense platforms (armored vehicles, tactical trucks, naval vessels, most aircraft)
• Hybrids and range‑extended EVs (combining an ICE with electric drive to reduce fuel use)

Taken together, these segments account for the majority of the world’s motive power. Electrification is growing fastest in passenger cars, city buses, and light two-wheelers, but ICE dominance persists in applications requiring long range, high duty cycles, or remote operation.

Category Breakdown and Examples

Passenger and Commercial Road Vehicles

Globally, most new light-duty vehicles still include an ICE—either as the sole power source or in hybrid configurations. Commercial fleets rely heavily on diesel ICEs for torque, durability, and established fueling infrastructure, especially for long-haul trucking and regional delivery where charging constraints remain significant. City buses are steadily electrifying, yet many regions continue to purchase diesel or CNG buses for flexibility and range.

Two- and Three-Wheelers

Motorcycles, scooters, and tuk-tuks overwhelmingly use small gasoline ICEs, prized for affordability and ease of servicing. Rapid electrification is underway in dense urban markets—particularly in China and parts of Southeast Asia—but ICEs remain widespread, especially outside major cities and in regions with limited charging.

Off-Road Recreation

ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, snowmobiles, and personal watercraft commonly use compact gasoline ICEs that deliver high power-to-weight ratios. Early electric models are emerging, but range and refueling practicality in remote areas keep ICEs prevalent.

Agriculture and Forestry

Tractors, combines, harvesters, and skidders mostly run on diesel ICEs due to high torque requirements, long duty cycles, and the need to operate far from grid access. Small tools like chainsaws and brush cutters often use small two- or four-stroke ICEs, though battery versions are growing in landscaping.

Construction and Mining

Excavators, wheel loaders, bulldozers, cranes, and massive mining haul trucks rely on diesel ICEs (often with advanced aftertreatment) to deliver continuous power. Electric and hydrogen prototypes are advancing for some classes, but ICEs dominate heavy-duty segments where uptime, fueling speed, and power density are critical.

Marine

From outboard-powered runabouts to ferries and deep-sea vessels, marine transport is largely ICE-based. Smaller boats use gasoline outboards and inboards; commercial vessels and cargo ships use medium- and slow-speed diesel engines. Alternative marine fuels—including LNG and methanol—and hybridization are increasing to meet emissions rules.

Aviation

Piston aircraft (general aviation) and gas turbines (jets, turbofans, turboprops, and helicopter turboshafts) are all forms of internal combustion. Fully electric aircraft are in early stages for short hops and training, but energy density constraints keep ICE-based propulsion central for regional and long-haul operations. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is being blended into conventional jet fuel to cut lifecycle emissions.

Rail

Where tracks are not electrified, diesel-electric locomotives—ICEs driving generators that power traction motors—remain the standard. Battery and hydrogen fuel-cell pilots exist for short routes and switching yards, and mainline electrification continues where economics allow, but vast networks still rely on diesel.

Military and Defense

Armored vehicles, tactical trucks, ships, and most military aircraft use ICEs for proven reliability, range, and global fuel logistics. Hybridization is being explored for silent watch and efficiency, yet ICE power is foundational to current force structure.

Hybrids and Range-Extended EVs

Hybrid electric vehicles pair an ICE with electric motors to improve efficiency, while plug-in hybrids add grid charging for limited electric-only range. Some range-extended EVs use an ICE solely as a generator, decoupling it from the wheels to optimize efficiency and emissions control.

What Fuels Do ICE Vehicles Use?

Internal combustion isn’t limited to gasoline and diesel. Multiple fuels are used to lower costs, cut emissions, or meet regional supply conditions. Here are the main options found in vehicles today:

• Gasoline: Common in light-duty cars, motorcycles, and small marine/outdoor engines.
• Diesel: Dominant in heavy-duty trucks, buses, construction, agriculture, rail, and marine.
• Compressed/Liquefied Natural Gas (CNG/LNG): Used in buses, trucks, and some marine vessels for lower local emissions.
• Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG/Autogas): Popular for taxis and fleets in certain markets.
• Biofuels: Ethanol blends for gasoline engines and biodiesel/HVO for diesel engines to reduce lifecycle CO2.
• Synthetic e-fuels: Drop-in fuels made from captured CO2 and green hydrogen, emerging for hard-to-electrify fleets.
• Hydrogen ICE: Pilot and early commercial engines for trucks and off-road equipment, eliminating CO2 at the tailpipe while addressing NOx with aftertreatment.

Fuel choice depends on vehicle duty cycle, regulations, and local infrastructure. Blends and alternative fuels are expanding as operators seek lower emissions without replacing entire powertrains.

Where ICE Use Is Declining Fastest

Passenger cars in leading markets, city buses on fixed routes, and urban two-wheelers are electrifying quickly, supported by incentives, charging buildouts, and air-quality rules. Several jurisdictions—including the European Union and the UK—have set 2035 deadlines for 100% zero-emission new car and van sales (with limited carve-outs in the EU for e-fuel-only vehicles). California and a growing list of U.S. states following its standards are on similar trajectories. In shipping, the IMO’s strategy targets net-zero greenhouse gas emissions around 2050, prompting adoption of LNG, methanol, and other low- or zero-carbon fuels. Aviation remains ICE-based but is scaling sustainable aviation fuel under emerging mandates, especially in Europe.

Why ICEs Persist in Many Segments

Despite rapid progress in electrification, ICEs remain entrenched in applications where batteries or fuel cells have yet to fully match operational needs. The following factors explain their staying power:

• Energy density and range: Liquid fuels store vast energy in small volumes, critical for heavy-duty, marine, and aviation.
• Refueling speed and uptime: Minutes to refuel versus potentially hours to recharge large batteries.
• Payload and packaging: Batteries can reduce payload or require design compromises in heavy equipment.
• Infrastructure maturity: Global production, distribution, and servicing networks for ICEs and liquid fuels.
• Total cost and asset life: Long-lived equipment and resale markets favor incremental transitions (e.g., hybrids, low-carbon fuels).

As technology advances and infrastructure expands, some of these advantages will erode, but for now they sustain widespread ICE use, especially in hard-to-electrify sectors.

Bottom Line

Internal combustion engines power most of the world’s mobility and heavy machinery—spanning road vehicles, off-road equipment, marine vessels, aircraft, and rail. While electrification, hydrogen, and low-carbon fuels are reshaping the landscape—fastest in light-duty and urban fleets—ICEs remain indispensable for high-duty, long-range, and remote operations. Expect a long period of coexistence, with hybrids and cleaner fuels bridging the gap as zero-emission technologies scale.

Do all cars have an internal combustion engine?

Until the recent growth of electric vehicles, all cars were powered by internal combustion engines. These create wheel-turning power by burning petrol, diesel or LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) – using broadly the same fundamental design for more than one hundred years.

Which transport vehicles use an internal combustion engine?

Many common transport vehicles use internal combustion engines (ICEs), including cars, motorcycles, trucks, buses, and some airplanes. These engines, which convert fuel into mechanical power through controlled explosions, come in types like gasoline engines and diesel engines. While the use of electric vehicles (EVs) is growing, ICEs remain the dominant power source for the global transportation sector due to their low cost, robustness, and high power density.
 
Types of Vehicles Powered by ICEs

• Automotive: Most cars, SUVs, and motorcycles use gasoline or diesel internal combustion engines. 
• Heavy Transport: Trucks, buses, and some locomotives rely on diesel engines for their powerful propulsion. 
• Marine: Cargo ships and patrol boats often use diesel or other types of internal combustion engines. 
• Aviation: Airplanes and some drones utilize ICEs, including gas turbines and reciprocating piston engines, for power. 

Why ICEs Are So Widely Used

• Cost-Effective: Internal combustion engines are generally less expensive to manufacture and purchase than many alternatives. 
• Robust and Durable: They are known for their long lifespan and ability to withstand heavy use. 
• High Power Density: ICEs provide high power outputs relative to their size and weight. 
• Fuel Versatility: They can run on a variety of fuels, including gasoline, diesel, natural gas, propane, and even renewable options like biodiesel and ethanol. 
• Existing Infrastructure: The extensive infrastructure for fueling and maintaining ICEs supports their continued widespread use. 

The Future of ICEs
While the global trend is moving toward zero-emission alternatives like battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, internal combustion engines are expected to remain a significant part of the transportation landscape for decades to come. Advances in ICE technology, such as hybrid and plug-in hybrid systems, are also being developed to improve efficiency and reduce emissions.

Does a Tesla have an internal combustion engine?

The Tesla are electric vehicles with large battery packs that power their motors. They do not have an internal combustion engine like traditional gas-powered vehicles, so they don’t need a check engine light.

What vehicles have internal 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.