Toyota Proposes End Of Electric Vehicles

Toyota's Groundbreaking Ammonia-Powered Engine: A Glimpse into the Future of Sustainable Transportation

By PERFORMANCE GARAGE — 18/10/2023

Toyota, a name synonymous with innovation in the automotive world, has once again made headlines. This time, it's not about electric vehicles (EVs) but about a pioneering ammonia-powered engine. Developed in collaboration with the Chinese state-owned manufacturer GAC Group, this engine might just be the game-changer the industry needs.

What is an Ammonia Engine?

An ammonia engine is a type of internal combustion engine that uses ammonia as its primary fuel. The beauty of ammonia lies in its composition: one nitrogen atom and three hydrogen atoms, with no carbon atoms. This means that when burned, it doesn't release carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas. The potential of such an engine is immense, especially in our collective quest to reduce carbon footprints.

Why is it Important?

The global push towards sustainable energy solutions has led to a surge in EVs. However, Toyota believes in diversifying its approach. The ammonia engine offers a promising alternative, especially when considering its high energy density. This makes it ideal for sectors where efficient energy storage and transportation are crucial, such as in transportation and power generation.

Moreover, ammonia is abundantly available. Its production primarily involves hydrogen and nitrogen, both of which are plentiful in our atmosphere. This makes ammonia engines not only environmentally friendly but also potentially cost-effective in the long run.

The Toyota-GAC Collaboration

Toyota's partnership with GAC has resulted in a prototype engine that burns liquid ammonia. This 2-liter four-cylinder engine boasts of a power output of 161 horsepower and claims to reduce carbon emissions by a staggering 90%. Such advancements could revolutionize automobile design and significantly contribute to environmental conservation.

However, the journey wasn't without challenges. From managing combustion pressure to addressing nitrogen emissions, the development team faced numerous obstacles. Yet, their dedication and innovative spirit have brought this concept to life.

The Bigger Picture

China, the world's largest EV market, still has a significant demand for traditional combustion engines. With talks of the Chinese government potentially banning the sale of internal combustion engine cars, alternative fuels like ammonia could extend the life of the combustion engine. Such fuels might even prove more cost-effective than EVs in the long run, offering consumers both eco-friendly and convenient transportation options.

Toyota's exploration into ammonia-powered engines is a testament to its commitment to diverse and sustainable energy solutions. As the technology matures, it might not be long before we see ammonia-powered vehicles on roads worldwide.

In conclusion, while the world is rapidly moving towards electric vehicles, Toyota's ammonia engine reminds us that innovation can come from unexpected quarters. As we drive into the future, it's exciting to think of the myriad ways we might power our journeys.

PERFORMANCE GARAGE

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Phil Arena on 30/11/2023

In response to "Why can't we just have something that runs on water?" from George, we do.

Roy Meyer on 28/10/2023

From the description in this video, it seems to me that it has a preferable burn characteristic for compression ignition. I assume it has been evaluated and some major hurdle found. What keeps ammonia fuel from being used in a compression ignition engine?

Roy Meyer on 28/10/2023

E3 on 26/10/2023

Folks talking about ammonia being toxic like gasoline doesn’t contain benzene or emit exhausts that can harm you….no you shouldn’t breathe high concentrations of ammonia but I think we all know what happens if you run your vehicle in an enclosed garage and you definitely shouldn’t stick your nose in a gas can. I’m not saying I’m against gasoline or ammonia but let’s not talk about the dangers of ammonia and pretend that gasoline isn’t toxic (benzene) or highly combustible.

Smh on 26/10/2023

George on 25/10/2023

Why can't we just have something that runs on water?

Edward Robinson on 25/10/2023

Ammonia is awful stuff! The refrigeration business abandoned it in favour of Freon about 50 years because of the danger to life among other issues. It will kill you quickly if you are caught in a room where significant amount is released. I don’t know how they are going to justify carrying around any quantity let alone parking it in your garage. Definite not for me!

Gary on 25/10/2023

Yeah. The article doesn't mention how the clean up the emissions. We burn ammonia as part of our chemical process and are spending millions cleaning up our emissions. Nitrous oxides are bad OK. And we can't seem to get enough of the stuff at the moment. We're half shut-down due to short supply.

Todd on 25/10/2023

In the case of a wreck or vehicular crime, the spilled Ammonia will erase all the evidence and kill all the witnesses. Win Win

Hightech Redneck on 25/10/2023

The abundant ammonia referenced is made from natural gas by stripping hydrogen off of the CH4 resulting in CO2 as a byproduct. This catalytic process requires heat with is produced by burning methane (CH4). Then the hydrogen which is catalytically combined with nitrogen from the air to make ammonia (NH3). The combustion of ammonia produces NOx, like other combustion. This can be mitigated by using an selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system and injecting more ammonia into the exhaust. SCR systems have been required on diesel trucks and heavy equipment for several years, but the ammonia is provided by decomposing urea in the exhaust system. This is due to the hazards of having a pressure vessel filled with ammonia on a moving vehicle. First, not carbon free. Nothing is carbon free, period. Second, ammonia is a gas at ambient conditions and is an irritant at very low levels and hazardous at high levels. Third, this danger is heightened by the use of ammonia to make illegal drugs, which makes it a target for thieves. Like most green propaganda, not so green and not feasible in the near future. Green ammonia production is beginning, but decades at best from being a viable alternative to current ammonia processes. Ammonia fueling stations would take decades to build in the US. China could and may do this as a propaganda ploy to appease environmental zealots.