Toyota CEO: “Our Ammonia Engine Is The End Of EV’s”
Toyota, in collaboration with Chinese state-owned manufacturer GAC Group, has developed a prototype ammonia-powered engine for passenger vehicles, exploring an alternative to electric vehicles. Ammonia engines utilize ammonia as fuel, producing no carbon dioxide during combustion, offering a potential solution to reduce pollution. Various methods to optimize ammonia engines exist, from breaking it down for its hydrogen to mixing it with other fuels for improved combustion. Toyota’s prototype 2-liter four-cylinder ammonia engine claims to produce 161 horsepower while reducing carbon emissions by 90%. Although promising, challenges such as managing combustion pressure and addressing nitrogen emissions have emerged during its development. While ammonia provides a high energy density and is widely available, difficulties related to its slow combustion and ignition compared to fossil fuels pose challenges for its wider adoption. Toyota’s approach, which encompasses diverse fuel solutions including conventional EVs and alternative fuels, suggests a potential future wherein ammonia engines might become a viable, cleaner alternative for transportation, notwithstanding the technical and infrastructural challenges to be tackled ahead.
