Yuchai’s High-Pressure Direct Injection Pure Ammonia Internal Combustion Engine Successfully Ignites, Marking a Key Technological Breakthrough in Domestic Heavy-Duty Zero-Carbon Engines
Recently, a major breakthrough has been achieved in the national zero-carbon power technology R&D project led by Yuchai. The prototype of a heavy-duty commercial vehicle pure ammonia internal combustion engine equipped with high-pressure direct injection technology has successfully completed full-engine ignition and steady-state operating condition tests at the Changshu R&D Base.
The project has successfully overcome three major industry bottlenecks: high-pressure direct injection of liquid ammonia, low-temperature ignition of ammonia fuel, and ammonia-to-hydrogen assisted combustion technology. This achievement addresses key shortcomings in China’s zero-carbon and carbon-free internal combustion engine power systems, marking an important step forward in the development of domestically produced zero-carbon heavy-duty engines.
Compared with traditional diesel engines and hydrogen internal combustion engines, pure ammonia internal combustion engines offer three major advantages: lower fuel storage and transportation costs, full lifecycle zero-carbon emissions, and higher safety during fuel storage and transportation. These advantages make them highly suitable for high-power applications such as long-haul heavy-duty trucks, port machinery, and power generation equipment.
The latest development is also equipped with Yuchai Martic’s dedicated Tiger 10W-40 ammonia-fuel-specific lubricant. The lubricant formulation has been optimized to address challenges such as the strong corrosiveness of ammonia combustion and significant fluctuations in in-cylinder operating conditions. It provides excellent compatibility with the unique operating environment of pure ammonia engines, enabling integrated deployment of the power unit and supporting lubricant system.
Currently, in the global zero-carbon internal combustion engine sector, ammonia-fueled power has become one of the most commercially viable technology pathways alongside hydrogen energy. The successful ignition of Yuchai’s pure ammonia engine marks a significant milestone, demonstrating that China’s commercial vehicle power systems are moving beyond dependence on fossil fuels and high-pressure hydrogen storage systems.
This breakthrough provides a new domestically developed solution for achieving comprehensive decarbonization of heavy-duty power systems under the national carbon neutrality goals. The prototype will next enter durability and reliability testing, with full vehicle road demonstration operations planned for 2027.