Internal combustion engines and gensets: Overview
The piston engines in cars, ships and backup generators
What this tile covers Piston engines in vehicles, ships and generators, burning petrol, diesel or gas. Share of use 23% share of final energy use (2019)Share of world total final energy consumption (about 435 EJ, calculated: motor systems 13,462 TWh are 53% of electricity, so about 25,400 TWh or 91 EJ, and electricity is about 21% of final energy) that passes through this device or is used by this sector, latest year available. Electricity-based devices use electricity's 21% share of final energy (IEA WEO 2025). Overlaps between devices and sectors are allowed and noted. Oil used by road vehicles (49.2% of final oil), ships (6.7%) and rail (0.8%) times oil's 40.4% share of final energy gives about 22.9% (calculated, IEA 2019 balance). Lower bound: leaves out tractors, construction machinery and diesel gensets. Overlaps road, marine and rail tiles. Source: Key World Energy Statistics 2021, International Energy Agency.
Key facts
| Chain | Chemical (diesel) → heat → mechanical (engine) → electrical |
Included from the reference tables
- Diesel generators
- Gas engines
- Petrol and diesel engines
Also in Conversion devices
ST Steam turbines and thermal power plantsCCGT Gas turbines and combined cycleGen Generators and alternatorsMot Electric motors and drivesPE Transformers and power electronicsFC Fuel cellsElz ElectrolysersHP Heat pumps, air conditioning and refrigerationEH Electric heatingLED Lighting and displaysBlr Boilers, furnaces and stovesExplore paths from here
More on this tile in the tabs above: science and limits, value chain, unit economics, engineering methods, equipment and suppliers.