Global sales of combustion engine cars have peaked

Peak combustion vs. peak cars overall

• Several commenters note the data clearly show a peak in combustion-only car sales (down ~24% from peak, below 12 of last 13 years), while total car sales are only modestly below peak and more ambiguous.
• Possible reasons discussed: high new-car prices, high interest rates, Covid-era supply disruptions, and more durable recent vehicles slowing replacement cycles.
• Some argue that economic and population growth will eventually push total sales up again; others counter with urbanization, alternative transport, and slowing population growth.

China, manufacturing, and trade barriers

• Many see China as the main driver of EV growth and future “factory of clean mobility,” citing ~50% EV/PHEV share of new sales there and aggressive automation due to demographic decline.
• There’s frustration that the US is effectively banning cheap Chinese EVs and “protecting legacy auto and Tesla,” sacrificing consumer affordability and competition.
• New US tariffs are seen as a “war” on both Chinese imports and, indirectly, domestic legacy automakers dependent on global supply chains.

EV ownership experience and charging realities

• Enthusiasts highlight smoother, quieter driving, strong acceleration, easy home charging, and lower running costs (especially with rooftop solar).
• Critics point to slow and unreliable DC fast charging, fragmented networks, and poor fit for long trips and rentals; several report bad rental-EV experiences souring them on the technology.
• Apartment/underground parking charging is uneven: some regions ban it over fire concerns, others mandate that buildings can’t refuse chargers but face complex fire-safety requirements.

Micromobility and the role of cars

• Many argue e-bikes/scooters are a bigger and more climate-efficient trend than EV cars, especially in dense cities, with far lower cost and simpler charging.
• Concerns include theft, lack of safe storage, and safety issues (small-wheeled scooters, reckless riding, conflicts with cars and pedestrians).
• A strong subthread argues the real goal should be cities where private cars are optional: better public transit, bike infrastructure, and urban design, with EVs seen as saving the car industry more than the planet.

Climate impact, lifecycle, and future of ICE

• Multiple references assert EVs have higher manufacturing emissions (batteries) but beat ICE over lifetime, with break-even after roughly tens of thousands of kilometers, improving as grids decarbonize.
• Some worry about cheap EV battery longevity and recycling; others note newer chemistries (e.g., LFP) prioritize durability.
• A minority expect a “false peak” for ICE, citing unsellable used EVs, rising electricity prices, and rollback of incentives; others argue global warming, oil depletion, and Chinese policy make a durable shift to electric inevitable, with ICE surviving mainly in niche or legacy roles.
• There is also debate about synthetic/“net-zero” fuels, but most see them as inefficient and unlikely to compete broadly with direct electrification.