I'm pretty sure he meant that no car has electrically actuated intake and exhaust valves, which is mostly true, but the Fiat/Chrysler MultiAir (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MultiAir) line of engines does have electro-hydraulic valve actuation which allows for variable duration and lift, and I think they don't even have a throttle plate.
It was just an example, I don't actually know what I'm talking about :) But it was my understanding that electronic fuel injection involves solenoids to, well, control fuel injection (as seen here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_injection#EFI_gasoline_en... ).
The point is that conveying the operating principles should be the main goal, if you call that "theory" or "practical info", it doesn't matter -- if you don't understand the basics well the practical (or theoretical) details will escape you.
Your suggestion about getting rid of distributors sounds reasonable.