Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
3 min of reading 
21 comments 
China Aims to Surpass Automotive Industry Giants and Unveils New Ammonia-Powered Engine Delivering Up to 120 kW. Understand How This New Propulsor Works and Its Benefits for the Environment.
China could revolutionize with ammonia engine, promising a new era in the automotive industry:
In a continuous search for more sustainable energy alternatives, China has taken a significant step with the creation of a new ammonia-powered engine. This innovation, revealed by Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. (GAC) during Tech Day 2024, promises to mark a turning point in the automotive industry. According to Bloomberg, the 2.0-liter engine was designed to burn liquid ammonia efficiently and safely, presenting itself as a viable solution to reduce carbon emissions and promote a greener future.
New Ammonia-Powered Engine from China Delivers 120 kW
This innovation promises a reduction of up to 90% in carbon emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels. Historically, ammonia has been used in various sectors, primarily as an agricultural fertilizer; however, its application as a fuel in vehicles is relatively new.
The new ammonia-powered engine from GAC in partnership with Toyota is not a pioneer in this area, as a decade ago, researchers from the Korean Institute of Energy Research had already tested the AmVeh, a car that operated on a mixture of 70% ammonia and 30% gasoline, reducing CO2 emissions by 70%. However, GAC is now leveraging the power of pure ammonia as fuel in the automotive industry.
-
Chevrolet Tornado Van 2026 emerges as a compact van cheaper than many popular cars in Brazil, with a 1.5 engine, 6-speed manual transmission, 650 kg load capacity, 3.3 m³ of usable space, and fuel consumption of up to 18.1 km/l for about R$ 87,000 in tax-free conversion; an urban utility vehicle that Brazilians don’t have, but Mexico does.
-
Forget the basic popular car: used sedans like Passat CC, Kia Cerato, Nissan Altima, Mitsubishi Lancer, and Volvo S60 show that it’s still possible to buy more performance, comfort, and technology for less than many new compacts.
-
Used Honda Civic: 3 versions of the Japanese sedan with naturally aspirated engines of up to 155 hp, fuel consumption of up to 13.8 km/l, robust automatic transmission, and a reputation for reliable mechanics still dominate the used car market in Brazil.
-
Toyota Hilux becomes a ‘cargo truck’: automaker declares a new era for the pickup with greater capacity, reinforced chassis, 2.8 turbodiesel engine, raised suspension, 1,525 kg load capacity, and targets Ford Ranger Super Duty, which tows an impressive 4,500 kg.
The engine boasts a power output of 120 kW (161 hp) and, although it still produces some carbon dioxide, the emission is drastically reduced. This new ammonia-powered engine from China arrives at a crucial moment, given that ammonia can be produced more cleanly than other fuels and transported more efficiently. However, handling ammonia requires caution due to its corrosive nature and danger to humans and the environment.
China Bets on Direct Burning of Liquid Ammonia
Other initiatives in the automotive industry are exploring the disintegration of ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen, using fuel cells to produce electric power, while others focus on modified combustion engines. However, GAC’s strategy bets on the direct burning of liquid ammonia.
The transition to ammonia as a fuel in the automotive industry involves not only innovation in the design of the new engine. A robust infrastructure for production, storage, and distribution of ammonia is required. This logistical challenge is amplified by the need to ensure safety in the transportation and storage of this highly volatile fuel.
China’s bet with this new ammonia-powered engine as a substitute for hydrogen and fossil fuels reflects a paradigm shift in the search for sustainable energy solutions.
While the global hydrogen market continues to grow, projected to surpass $200 billion by 2025 according to CAS, ammonia emerges as a viable competitor with the potential to redefine emissions and energy efficiency standards in the transportation sector.
Ammonia Could Mark a Turning Point in the Automotive Industry Towards Sustainability
The development and implementation of technologies such as China’s new ammonia-powered engine are essential for achieving significant reductions in carbon emissions. This technological advancement, along with the commitment to building the necessary infrastructure, could mark a milestone in the global journey towards a more sustainable future.
Continuous innovation and collaboration between the commercial, academic, and governmental sectors will be critical to the success of this energy transition. An interesting fact is that ammonia is a colorless gas, toxic, with a strong and unpleasant odor. It has a pyramidal geometry and is the most water-soluble gas known precisely due to the formation of hydrogen bonds.
Precisamos entender que a tecnologia dos carros eletricos é um caminho em busca da evolução e a anos vejo reportagens denegrindo os carros eletricos, Precisamos acreditar que tudo tem que evoluir.
Matéria escrita pelo CHAT-GPT
Bom… se é prejudicial ao corpo e ambiente, com o crescente aumento de veiculos na rua, a probabilidade de acidentes subirá ( talvez não na mesma proporção), e aí, o que acontece?será o custo benefício ótimo?