We recently dropped a bunch of high schoolers at Madeline Island with our 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, about a 4 or so hour trip from Minneapolis. This is a very very good car, in fact a great car. However as we finished the trip I noticed a little steam coming from the front grill. It seems that after 100,000 miles we had a little radiator leak. Now, I have owned this car from new, rarely needing to look at the Highlander engine, but have probably looked at 20,000 IC engines, having been to the Arizona Barrett Jackson auctions every year for the last 25 years.
Nonetheless, I'll never forget my shock when I opened up the Toyota to look for the source of the steam. This giant, medusa like cavity full of tubes and wires and really hot metal. I remember thinking, Oh my God, look at this mess of stuff, just to make this car move! How easily one forgets what an absurd contraption a gasoline vehicle really is.
If you have not looked at an IC engine for a few months, go look at one and you really understand the simple beauty of the Tesla.