Racing cars have traditionally used gasoline engines as no other fuel has been able to compete with the power that these provide. With the exception of Formula E, most motorsports championships pride their gasoline cars on the sheer speed they exert around the track. Well, this one company is changing the game with their hydrogen engine that is competing with the greats.
Why petrol is the traditional fuel of choice in racing
Petrol is a fuel that is very energy-dense, meaning that race cars can carry lighter amounts for the same power output. Lighter cars go faster, so this is a natural win for the sport. This form of fuel is also very fast to burn and very responsive, giving cars the explosiveness that the drivers need throughout a race.
Despite other fuels being tried and tested, petrol is the traditional form of fuel, and while change is good, there’s no doubt traditions die hard. Petrol is reliable, understandable, and predictable. Racers, manufacturers and engineers know what they are dealing with, and it is giving them the performance they desire so why change anything at all?
Well, despite the world being fully equipped for the storage, transportation and production of this fuel, the environment is what calls for a much-needed switch. Petrol is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions which is causing climate change and global warming. The automotive and motorsport industries are a large contributor to these emissions, and the world is realising their need to scale back.
This racing company shows their commitment to a better future
While sustainable fuels have been regarded as unable to keep up with gasoline in terms of racing, AVL Racetech is proving this to be untrue. This motorsport division of the Austrian engineering firm AVL, have shocked the racing world with their innovative, sustainable creation. Taking a huge step for the future of motorsports, AVL Racetech unveiled a hydrogen powered ICE engine in 2022 that claimed to compete with the output of gasoline engines.
This has never been seen before in the company—to produce a completely in house engine such as this, specifically one as sustainable! This hydrogen engine is a game-changer for the company, but also for the entire industry as well. Other hydrogen engines have had to sacrifice power to achieve lower emissions, but AVL took it in their stride to overcome this challenge, and produce an engine that can emit zero tailpipe emissions without sacrificing on speed.
While there may be some scepticism regarding hydrogen as a sustainable fuel (see why this company chose to move away from hydrogen), there’s no arguing with the breakthrough that AVL Racetech has had.
A closer look at their hydrogen prototype engine
AVL’s 2.0-liter hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine (H₂-ICE) prototype has some incredible qualities that would prove transformative for the industry if hitting mass production. The engine boasts150 kW per litre and can reach up to 410 horsepower at 6,500 RPM. How are they reaching such numbers?
Well, the company is using water injection into the intake air to increase pressure and cool down the chamber, which lowers the risk of pre-ignition. This is what is allowing the prototype to create such power and was able to be created thanks to AVL’s experience in advanced simulation modelling.
Paul Kapus, Project Manager at AVL RACETECH, states:
“Realizing performance values at motorsport level with a hydrogen internal combustion engine is an incredibly complex technical challenge. But our prototype proves it can be done.”
This prototype is set to rival the greats like Tesla and BYD, who have also shown their dedication to sustainability with huge investments like this one. However, AVL seems to be at the company now at the forefront of innovation when it comes to motorsport engines, and the world can look with optimism towards a sustainable automotive industry.
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