GM demonstrates HCCI engine – compression technology in gas engine promises 15 percent lift in mileage, reduced NOx

In Michigan, General Motors has completed a demonstration vehicle that uses HCCI — Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition — a diesel-like compression technology in a gasoline engine. The hybrid technology, which switches between ignition and compression, promises to increase gasoline fuel efficiency by at least 15 percent because of the higher efficiency of compression.

However, the lower temperature limits the creation of NOx compounds that cause air pollution. The technology works with flex-fuel engine technology as well, promising the possibility of E85 almost at parity with conventional gasoline in terms of fuel efficiency, and reducing or eliminating NOx emissions.

General Motors VP Larry Burns, addressing the National Hydrogen Association, said that the auto industry had developed hydrogen vehicles, and government and energy companies must develop the infrastructure for fuel distribution. “It’s no longer a question of ‘can it be done?’ or ‘should it be done?’” said Burns. “We not only should do it. We must do it. It’s now a question of collective will. Do we have the collective resolve to work together to solve the challenges we face rather than handing them off to future generations?”

General Motors will invest $31 million in upgrading its engine manufacturing plant at Tonawanda. The upgrade will make the Ecotec 2.2-liter engines E85-enabled, and will also improve emissions in time for 2009 models. The Tonawanda plant produces 25 percent of GM’s E85 fleet.

GM continues to push hard on promotion of E85 and flex-fuel vehicles as an offset to the imposition of stricter CAFE (corporate average fuel economy) standards. Every flex-fuel car sold contributes an offset to each car maker’s CAFE (corporate average fuel economy) standard, under the new Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) signed last month.
Recently, the CEO of General Motors, Rick Wagoner, said that the US needs to increase the number of ethanol stations by a factor of 10-15, from 1400 today to as many as 20,000. He added that the company has been working with companies such as Wal-Mart and Target to add ethanol to their fuel distribution services.

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