Car Engine Types List

Internal Combustion Engines

Gasoline Engines

Gasoline engines are the most common type of engine used in cars. They work by burning a mixture of gasoline and air in a cylinder. The combustion creates hot gases that expand and push a piston, which turns a crankshaft. Gasoline engines are relatively efficient and produce good power, but they also emit pollutants into the atmosphere.

Diesel Engines

Diesel engines are similar to gasoline engines, but they burn diesel fuel instead of gasoline. Diesel fuel is a heavier and more oily fuel than gasoline, and it requires a higher compression ratio to ignite. Diesel engines are more efficient than gasoline engines and produce less pollution, but they are also louder and more expensive to build.

Hybrid Engines

Hybrid engines combine a gasoline engine with an electric motor. The electric motor can help to power the car during acceleration, and it can also regenerate energy when the car is braking. Hybrid engines are more efficient than gasoline engines, and they produce less pollution. However, they are also more expensive to build than gasoline engines.

Electric Motors

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

BEVs are powered by electricity stored in a battery. They do not have a gasoline engine or a diesel engine. BEVs are very efficient and produce zero emissions, but they have a limited range and can take a long time to recharge. BEVs are becoming more popular as battery technology improves.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

PHEVs are similar to BEVs, but they also have a gasoline engine. The gasoline engine can be used to extend the range of the car when the battery is depleted. PHEVs are more efficient than gasoline-only vehicles, and they produce less pollution. However, they are also more expensive to build than gasoline-only vehicles.

Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs)

FCVs are powered by hydrogen fuel. The hydrogen fuel is converted into electricity in a fuel cell, which powers the electric motor. FCVs produce zero emissions, but they are still in the early stages of development. FCVs are more expensive to build than gasoline-only vehicles, and there are not many hydrogen fueling stations available.

Other Engine Types

Rotary Engines

Rotary engines are a type of internal combustion engine that uses a rotating triangle-shaped rotor instead of a piston. Rotary engines are more compact and lighter than piston engines, but they are also less efficient and more likely to produce pollution. Rotary engines were used in some Mazda cars in the past, but they are not as common today.

Stirling Engines

Stirling engines are a type of external combustion engine that uses a closed cycle of gas to produce power. Stirling engines are very efficient and can run on a variety of fuels, but they are also slow to start and have a low power-to-weight ratio. Stirling engines are used in some niche applications, such as submarines and power generators.