Toyota's ammonia engine collaboration could revolutionize the auto industry

Toyota's research division and the Chinese automotive company GAC Group have been working together for years to develop an ammonia-powered engine that could be an alternative to electric propulsion. Thanks to this invention, could electric cars become a thing of the past?

Experts emphasize that Toyota's management has long advocated striving to reduce emissions in the most efficient way possible rather than becoming unwavering proponents of electrification at all costs. To this end, the Japanese company, in collaboration with the Chinese conglomerate Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC Group), has already invested $6 billion in efforts to bring ammonia combustion engine technology to mass production.

The prototype of this engine, unveiled in 2023, prompted Toyota President Koji Sato to declare, "Our Ammonia Engine Is The End Of EV's." Experts note that this is a bold statement but emphasize that it was not made lightly, as work on this technology is ongoing.

The technology does have potential downsides. One of the main advantages of ammonia-powered engines is the ability to adapt existing car models without fundamentally changing their design. Adjusting the engines to burn this fuel only requires a few adjustments, which poses challenges, including the need to achieve a high compression ratio of the fuel-air mixture.

Electric cars are becoming increasingly popular. China is the largest producer of these vehicles. In 2023, global exports in this segment surged by 70%, reaching a value of $34.1 billion. The European Union accounts for nearly 40% of China's electric vehicle exports, making it its largest importer.

In 2023, one in four electric cars sold in the European Union came from China. Experts cited by the agency indicate that the EU's persistent trade deficit with China, exceeding approximately $400 billion annually, is mainly due to unequal mutual market access and Beijing's unfair practices, including extensive government subsidies.