China tests most efficient engine in history

Weichai Power, a leading Chinese powertrain supplier, has achieved a notable milestone in the automotive industry by developing a diesel engine with an impressive inherent thermal efficiency of 53.09 per cent.

A milestone of global interest in the automotive industry has been achieved by a major Chinese powertrain supplier, Weichai Power, which has unveiled a diesel engine with an astonishing intrinsic thermal efficiency of 53.09 per cent. This remarkable accomplishment, certified by renowned organizations like TÜV SÜD and the China Automotive Technology & Research Center, has made this engine the official world record holder, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

This innovation represents a new era in diesel engine technology. The engine was formally introduced at the 2024 World Congress on Internal Combustion Engines in Tianjin, China, where Weichai Power presented its engineering breakthrough with enthusiasm, receiving widespread acclaim from congress attendees. This achievement exemplifies the modern information society's strict culture and relentless pursuit of efficiency.

Weichai Power has achieved what was once considered impossible: developing a new fuel that could revolutionize the roads. The journey toward this significant achievement began in 2015 when the company launched a dedicated research project aimed at creating high-temperature-efficiency engines. Over the years, Weichai Power has made substantial progress, breaking its own records and turning impossibility into reality.

From achieving a thermal efficiency of 50.23 per cent in 2020 to surpassing 52 per cent in 2022, Weichai Power has consistently improved its efficiency rates through relentless innovation. The passion and dedication of the research and development team have driven the company to continually strive for excellence in diesel engine performance, investing countless hours in research and engineering.

The secret behind Weichai’s technological triumph

Continuous innovation and technological development are the cornerstones of Weichai Power’s business model. By leveraging advances in combustion, intake air, fuel delivery, and friction reduction, Weichai's research team has pioneered techniques such as high expansion combustion, high-pressure mixed flow pressurization air intake, high-efficiency fuel injection, and extremely low resistance friction reduction.

These innovations, along with years of dedicated effort by Weichai Power’s multidisciplinary team—comprising hundreds of Ph.D. holders and thousands of engineers—culminated in achieving the remarkable milestone of 53.09 per cent thermal efficiency. The company's unwavering commitment to innovation, supported by partnerships with esteemed universities, research institutions, and industry players, has fostered interoperability and cooperation, driving Weichai Power to new heights in diesel engine performance.

This record-breaking engine will have global implications

Weichai Power’s engineering achievement goes beyond just creating an impressive engine. Reaching the milestone of over 53 per cent thermal efficiency paves the way for significant global fuel savings and reduced carbon emissions.

Estimates suggest that increasing thermal efficiency from 45-46 per cent to 53 per cent could result in annual fuel savings of approximately 31 million tons and a reduction in carbon emissions by around 97 million tons. This aligns perfectly with China’s vision for peak carbon dioxide levels and net-zero emissions, as well as international efforts focused on sustainable development, energy savings, and emissions reduction.

The economic benefits of improved fuel efficiency extend beyond the transportation sector to include construction vehicles and equipment, agricultural machinery, ships, electricity generation, and numerous other applications worldwide. This advancement is expected to enhance overall economic and social growth globally.

Weichai Power’s green vision

Weichai Power has developed the world's first diesel engine with an unprecedented 53 per cent thermal efficiency, demonstrating that human ingenuity and innovation can achieve remarkable feats. This milestone sets a new benchmark in the internal combustion engine industry and advances the vision of a greener environment and economic prosperity.

As the world grapples with climate change and energy security issues, Weichai Power's achievement exemplifies how solutions can emerge from unexpected sources equipped with the right resources, mindset, and commitment to sustainability. This breakthrough underscores the potential for creating a cleaner and more sustainable environment for all.