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Ferrari announces bold project to develop a hydrogen-powered inline-six engine with innovative design
A Ferrari took an innovative step in the automotive sector by register a patent application for an internal combustion engine powered by hydrogen. The initiative, published by United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on February 29, 2024, demonstrated the automaker's interest in reducing emissions without completely abandoning internal combustion engines, even in a scenario of increasingly stringent environmental regulations.
Unlike fuel cells, hydrogen, which convert hydrogen into electricity to power electric motors, the engine of hydrogen combustion simply burns the fuel directly.
This process eliminates the emission of carbon dioxide, one of the main causes of the greenhouse effect. Although the idea is not new — BMW, for example, already tested the technology in a 7 Series model in the early 2000s — this is the first time that Ferrari has expressed public interest in this format.
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Reducing emissions, but not to zero
In the patent application, Ferrari claims that the hydrogen combustion engine can drastically reduce pollutant levels, generating only small amounts of carbon monoxide and particulate matter.
Despite the significant reduction, these minimal emissions still do not represent a zero-emissions scenario. Furthermore, the production of the hydrogen needed to fuel these engines raises questions about the carbon footprint. carbon total.
According to the Rocky Mountain Institute, the environmental impact of hydrogen depends on the production method.
While hydrogen produced by electrolysis using renewable energy has a reduced impact, fossil fuel-based production can generate emissions comparable to those of coal. This highlights the need for a sustainable supply chain to maximize the environmental benefits of the new technology.
How a hydrogen combustion engine works
| Stage | Technical description |
|---|---|
| Admission | A mixture of hydrogen gas and air is injected into the cylinder. |
| Compression | Piston compresses the mixture, increasing combustion efficiency. |
| Combustion | Spark plug creates a spark, burning hydrogen and generating energy. |
| Expansion | Piston is pushed down, converting chemical energy into mechanical motion. |
| Exhaustion | Water vapor, the main byproduct, is expelled through the exhaust valve. |
Benefits
- Emissions: Water vapor only (no CO2).
- Technology: Based on the traditional internal combustion engine.
Challenges
- Storage: Requires high pressure tanks.
- Security: Hydrogen is highly flammable.
Technical and structural challenges of the Ferrari engine
One of the points raised by Ferrari in its patent application is the impact of hydrogen on vehicle design and performance. Because it is less energy dense than gasoline, hydrogen requires greater storage capacity to achieve a range similar to that of a traditional combustion engine.
This results in potentially longer and heavier cars, compromising the efficiency and performance characteristic of the brand's models.
Despite these challenges, hydrogen’s fast refueling time can offset range limitations, especially compared to electric vehicles.
However, there is a significant structural problem: the lack of reliable hydrogen fueling infrastructure. Owners of the Toyota Mirai, a fuel cell vehicle, have reported difficulties due to limited and sometimes ineffective infrastructure.
Competition in development
Ferrari is not alone in its quest for cleaner combustion alternatives. Toyota, for example, has been actively investing in the development of hydrogen combustion engines.
In 2021, the automaker unveiled a hydrogen-powered Corolla race car, and the following year, it showed off a hydrogen V-8 engine based on the Lexus RC F. These advances show that hydrogen combustion is being explored as a viable solution for maintaining sports performance while reducing environmental impact.
In addition, Porsche, another giant in the high-performance car market, has been focusing its efforts on synthetic fuels.
This approach also aims to extend the lifespan of internal combustion engines, demonstrating that the premium vehicle industry is looking for sustainable alternatives.
An uncertain but promising future
It’s unclear whether Ferrari will follow Toyota’s lead and unveil hydrogen combustion engine prototypes any time soon. However, the patent filing suggests the automaker is open to exploring new avenues to balance performance, heritage and sustainability.
As environmental regulations become more stringent, luxury automakers face the challenge of innovating without compromising their brand identity.
If hydrogen proves viable, it could be the ideal solution for Ferrari to continue offering high-performance vehicles while meeting the demands of a more sustainable world.
This initiative reinforces that, in the automotive sector, innovation and legacy preservation go hand in hand. Ferrari’s hydrogen engine could be a game changer, both for the industry and for the future of transportation.
I would like to suggest a correction to the technical description. Since the engine must work upside down, during expansion the piston must be pushed upwards, and not downwards as in a normal engine.
I didn't understand the benefit of placing the engine upside down... since it would cause oil to build up in the piston cylinders.