It's not the combustion engine that's crazy about. It's the fuel that's the problem, says former Top Gear host Richard Hammond.
Former Top Gear host Richard believes that the combustion engine itself is harmless. According to the British motoring journalist, it is not the engine, but the fuel that is responsible for CO2 emissions.
After leaving Top Gear, and with The Grand Tour similarly coming to an end, Hammond is now focusing on his company, The Smallest Cog, which restores vintage cars.
Despite his passion for classic cars, Hammond recognizes the need for change in the automotive industry. However, he doesn't believe electric cars are the only solution.
"We have to welcome the future. Things are going to have to change, and it will be technology that saves us," Hammond told Autocar .
Hammond argues for an open approach to different technologies, including reusing existing cars, hydrogen fuel cells, hybrids and electric cars.
He points out that there is not enough lithium to produce batteries for all the cars of the future. Instead of focusing solely on electric cars, Hammond believes that the combustion engine can be saved by using sustainable fuels.
"The internal combustion engine never has any damage. It's the fuel (it's crazy about it, ed.)," says Hammond.
He sees potential in the development of sustainable fuels that can extend the lifespan of the existing 1.4 billion combustion engine cars worldwide.
"If it can be made sustainable and scalable – and the signs are that it can be better than a year ago – then a decent proportion of the world's 1.4 billion cars can stay on the road and guys like me can restore them," concludes Richard Hammond.
Hammond's statements have sparked debate about the future of automotive technology and the need for a wide range of solutions.
But he is far from the only one who also cannot see the scam in excluding everything other than electric cars. Toyota, for example, believes that the vast majority should not speak critically about electric cars. Read more about it here .
