GAC (Automobile Group CO.), the Chinese partner to Toyota, recently revealed a new motor that runs on liquid ammonia. As ammonia is considered toxic, the fuel source was previously limited to primarily the trucking and commercial shipping sectors. While hazardous, the substance is both clean and readily available, leading GAC to explore it as a viable green alternative to battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell power which currently dominates the market.
“We’ve overcome the pain point of ammonia being difficult to burn quickly and put the fuel to use in the passenger car industry. Its value to society and for commercial uses are worth anticipating,” said Qi Hongzhong from GAC’s R&D team via Interesting Engineering.
While further advancements in technology and more widespread interest are needed, GAC’s new 2.0-liter engine, said to produce 120 kilowatts of electricity and 90 percent less carbon emissions than “conventional fuels,” is an exciting step forward. Earlier this year, Mitsubishi successfully delivered an ammonia fuel supply system for ship engines while several startups are also starting to catch on.
The motor was recently unveiled in Beijing at GAC’s annual showcase alongside its new eVTOL. Stay tuned for more updates.
A major Chinese auto company GAC today revealed a modular #eVTOL design which resembles Pop.Up design concept that Airbus and Audi unveiled in 2017. The multicopter flying module has been flying pic.twitter.com/kGSlaa983p
— Xin Gou (@chineseflyer) June 26, 2023
Elsewhere in automotive news, BMW’s shapeshifting GINA concept is revisited in a new walkaround video.
