The idea sounds appealing: there’s no real rivalry—just one group of engineers working with batteries while another focuses on gasoline and diesel, all sharing the same passion for cars and a better future. It would be nice to believe that.
The World Has Become Too Black-and-White
Not long ago, car enthusiasts could debate preferences peacefully: some loved turbo engines, others preferred naturally aspirated, and diesel fans weren’t vilified. Today, question the “one true path,” and you’re instantly on the wrong side of the divide—even if you’re not against EVs at all and simply believe drivers should have a choice.
The “with us or against us” mindset works flawlessly. Facts no longer matter; what counts is which camp you’ve been assigned to.
Why the Conflict Is Very Real
The claim that EV and traditional powertrain engineers are “heading toward the same goal” sounds conciliatory, but it misses a crucial point: the playing field isn’t level. In practice, one side:
- receives massive federal and state incentives and tax credits;
- is portrayed as morally superior;
- enjoys strong backing from regulators and media.
The other side faces tightening emissions rules, looming phase-out threats, and constant pressure. This isn’t about technology anymore—it’s about plain asymmetry. When one team is rewarded regardless of outcome while the other is penalized just for speaking up, true competition can’t exist.
The Means Matter as Much as the End
We can talk endlessly about a cleaner future and the environment, but how we get there is just as important. Forcing progress through mandates, bans, and labels inevitably breeds resistance.
A fitting analogy is war: both sides may want peace, but that doesn’t erase the conflict itself. As long as one side is systematically stripped of resources and voice, claims of “shared enthusiasm” ring hollow.
Cars Are Just Part of a Bigger Issue
The EV debate mirrors a broader trend. Any criticism is labeled sabotage; any doubt is heresy. It doesn’t matter that many skeptics’ predictions have come true: charging infrastructure lags, markets are distorted, and consumers are voting with their wallets differently than policymakers expected.
To me, the strength of the automotive world has always been its diversity. Electric vehicles can be a great solution for certain needs and drivers, but turning them into the only acceptable truth risks driving the industry into a dead end.
So Is It “Us vs. Them” or Not?
In theory—no. In practice—yes, as long as the rules are deliberately tilted one way. You can’t honestly talk about being one team when some players are pushed forward while others are shoved overboard. Real reconciliation will only happen when a simple truth is acknowledged: there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, and progress shouldn’t be built on suppressing alternatives.
Until that day comes, claims that “we’re all just working with different materials” may sound inspiring—but they remain painfully detached from reality.
