A technological revolution from the Middle Kingdom could well shake up the global automotive sector. China has just announced the creation of the most efficient diesel engine ever designed, with unmatched thermal efficiency. This major advance raises questions about the future of thermal engines in the face of the rise of electric vehicles.
An impressive technological leap
Chinese company Weichai Power unveiled a diesel engine with a record thermal efficiency of 53.09% at the World Internal Combustion Engine Congress in Tianjin. The announcement marks a crucial step in the evolution of combustion engines.
This figure represents a significant improvement over conventional diesel engines, whose thermal efficiency is typically around 46%. In concrete terms, this innovation could translate into a substantial reduction in fuel consumption and pollutant emissions, while maintaining high performance.
A meteoric rise in just a few years
The development of this revolutionary engine is part of a series of technical advances made by Weichai Power in recent years. The Chinese company has reached several successive milestones:
In September 2020, it featured a diesel engine reaching 50.23% thermal efficiency. Less than two years later, in January 2022, this figure climbed to 51.09%. In November of the same year, a new record was set at 52.28%.
This rapid progress demonstrates the intensity of the research and development efforts carried out by the Chinese industry in the field of thermal engines. It also illustrates the country's desire to establish itself as a key player in the global automotive sector.
Technical innovations for efficiency
To achieve this unprecedented level of efficiency, Weichai Power engineers optimized several key aspects of the engine's operation. Fuel injection, air intake, the combustion process and friction reduction have all undergone significant improvements.
These improvements have reduced energy losses by 14% compared to conventional diesel engines. The result is an engine capable of converting more than half of the energy contained in the fuel into useful mechanical energy, a performance previously considered out of reach for a combustion engine.
A potentially considerable environmental impact
According to Weichai Power's estimates, the widespread adoption of this high-efficiency engine could have major environmental impacts. The company puts forward impressive figures:
Annual fuel savings of around 31 million tonnes would be possible. More importantly, CO2 emissions could be reduced by 97 million tonnes per year. These data highlight the potential of this technology to contribute to the fight against climate change, while preserving the advantages of combustion engines in terms of autonomy and speed of refuelling.
International recognition
The performance of the Weichai Power engine has been validated by internationally recognized certification bodies. TÃœV SÃœD, a German organization renowned for its industrial testing and certification, has attested to the accuracy of the announced results.
Similarly, the China Automotive Technology & Research Center has given its endorsement to this technological advance. These recognitions give international legitimacy to Chinese innovation, strengthening its credibility among players in the global automotive sector.
A challenge for the European automotive industry
The emergence of this cutting-edge technology in China poses a real challenge for European car manufacturers. Long at the forefront of innovation in the field of diesel engines, manufacturers from the Old Continent now find themselves being left behind by their Chinese counterparts.
This situation could have significant repercussions on the competitiveness of the European automotive industry, particularly in the commercial and heavy-duty vehicle segment where diesel remains predominant. European manufacturers will have to redouble their research and development efforts to keep up in the race for energy efficiency.
What future for the thermal engine?
The development of this ultra-efficient diesel engine comes in a context of transition towards electric mobility. While many countries plan to ban new thermal vehicles by 2035, this innovation raises the question of the relevance of a total abandonment of conventional engines.
Advances in energy efficiency could indeed enable combustion engines to remain competitive with electric vehicles, particularly in terms of environmental impact over the entire life cycle. The debate on the future of mobility could thus be rekindled, with major implications for the global automotive industry.
China's announcement of this record-breaking diesel engine marks a turning point in the history of the automobile industry. It illustrates the rise of the Chinese industry and its capacity to innovate in cutting-edge technological fields. Faced with this challenge, Europe will have to react quickly to maintain its leading position in the global automobile sector.