THE BUZZ FOR THE VROOM!: HOW ELECTRIC MOTORS ARE ZOOMING AHEAD OF THE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE



When I first understood the internal combustion engine, I felt like I had unlocked a mechanical secret, one that powered everything from motorcycles to airplanes. 

But just as I was soaking in the elegance of pistons, spark plugs, and crankshafts, I started noticing something else on the streets, which was the cars that didn’t make any sound.

Very interesting at first, and my first experience of this was in an Uber.

No exhaust rumble. No gear shift. Just a smooth, eerie glide past me like a whisper.
Welcome to the world of electric motors.

This post is about how I went from combustion curiosity to electric awe, and what makes electric motors such a game-changer.

Electric Motors 101: What’s Actually Happening?

If ICEs are like controlled explosions, electric motors are more like controlled magic, at least, that’s how they felt to me at first.

But it’s not magic. It’s magnetism. It works on the principles of electromagnetism.

Here’s the simple version:

  1. Electricity flows through a wire, creating a magnetic field.
  2. That magnetic field interacts with another magnet (or coil).
  3. The interaction creates motion, spinning a rotor.
  4. That rotation powers wheels, fans, or whatever needs to move.

It’s a beautiful loop of science, which involves, electrical energy → magnetic force → mechanical energy.

No explosions. No fuel. No exhaust. Just spin.

💡My First Lightbulb Moment (Pun Intended) 😁

I was watching a teardown of a Tesla Model 3 motor, and I couldn’t believe how small it was. No complex valves. No oil pan. No giant radiator. Just a compact, clean unit that spun silently and efficiently.

Here’s the kicker, the torque, meaning, how much “twisting power” it generates? It was instant. Unlike ICEs, which need to build up RPMs to produce peak torque, electric motors deliver full torque from zero.

That’s why EVs feel like slingshots off the line. No delay, no revving. Just go.

ICE vs Electric: A Quick Showdown

Feature

Internal Combustion Engine

Electric Motor

Fuel Type

Gasoline/Diesel

Electricity

Efficiency

~25–30%

~85–90%

Maintenance

High (many moving parts)

Low (few moving parts)

Torque Delivery

Gradual, builds with RPM

Instant from 0 RPM

Emissions

CO₂, NOx, etc.

Zero at point of use

Sound & Feel

Loud, mechanical, visceral

Silent, smooth, futuristic

It’s easy to look at that table and think EVs “win” hands-down. In some areas, they do. However, it’s not the full story, which brings me to the biggest realization I had:

Why We’re Not All Driving Electric Yet? 🤔

Electric motors are better mechanically in almost every way, but engineering isn’t the only variable.

1. Battery Limitations

Electric motors need electricity, and electricity needs storage. Batteries are heavy, expensive, and don’t hold as much “energy density” as gasoline.

2. Charging Infrastructure

Unlike gas stations, EV chargers aren’t everywhere (yet). This means charging takes longer than filling a tank.

3. Manufacturing Costs

EVs are simpler to maintain, but batteries and electronics are still expensive to produce.

4. Cultural Resistance

Some people love the roar of an engine. Some don’t trust new tech. While others just aren’t ready to change how they interact with their car.

So while electric motors work, the real question is: Can the world work around them yet?

Where Else Are Electric Motors Used?

It turns out electric motors have been quietly working behind the scenes for a long time:

  • Fans, washing machines, and vacuum cleaners
  • Elevators and escalators
  • Trains (especially subways and high-speed rail)
  • Drones and RC toys
  • Industrial equipment

They’re not just for Teslas and e-bikes. They're everywhere once you start noticing. That realization hit me hard, and maybe we’ve been slowly going electric all along.

💭🔧Final Thoughts from the Scrap Heap Garage: Simplicity Is Power

Electric motors taught me something big. Sometimes, less really is more. Fewer parts. Less maintenance. Less noise. Less pollution.

But also, less romance, maybe (can't rev or roar your engine at your crush anymore 😀😅). No gear shifts. No roar. Just silence and speed.

Understanding electric motors wasn’t just a tech lesson for me, it was a peek into where we’re heading. A quieter, cleaner future, and to some degree, probably a different one.


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