Germany wants to save the combustion engine, but without hydrogen: They have created an alcohol-based fuel

The European Union and America remain firm in their objective to decarbonize the transport sector by 2030-2035. 

But what if we don’t achieve it?

There are already brands that have set out to solve this problem, such as a legendary German carmaker that is going to do away with the combustion engine… with more combustion.

This, however, is the first zero-emission one known to mankind, and it “burns alcohol” instead of gasoline, so it could be the most futuristic in history.

Currently, an Austrian-German company, Obrist Group, has unveiled a revolutionary methanol engine that may drastically change the car manufacturing market. 

The HyperHybrid®, is a powertrain that integrates electric driving with methanol as a sustainable and viable solution for cars of the future.

The complete structure of the vehicle’s HyperHybrid® powertrain relies on a custom-designed two-cylinder internal combustion engine.

This compact engine is designed for use with aMethanol which is a synthetic fuel derived from renewable raw materials. 

It is partnered with a small battery pack, which makes it as a hybrid vehicle.

Advantages:

Compact size: This kind of design of engines make it possible to design an engine with two cylinders and still be lighter than the normal internal combustion engines.

Hybrid integration: The engine is matted with an electric motor and comes with a smaller size battery pack in inclusion.
Methanol compatibility: Specifically built for performance on aMethanol fuel.

Emission control: The engine was designed to produce the lowest emission levels, especially when using carbon-neutral, aMethanol.

Why to create a methanol engine?

High thermal efficiency: One of the fuelling parameters is about how methanol engines can also offer higher thermal efficiency as compared to the gasoline engines because of the high octane rating of methanol and also because of its cooling effect.

Lower emissions: In the case where it will be operating on carbon-neutral aMethanol, net CO2 emissions from the engine are considerably lower than in the case of fossil fuel-engines.

Impressive range: The ‘HyperHybrid®’ equipped prototype car such as the V70 has a capability of WLTP mixed driving of a thousand kilometers.

How is the Obrist Group methanol engine being developed?

The Obrist Group has been developing their methanol engine and the HyperHybrid® system for a few years. They have already put into practice in a number of prototypes, and are now getting ready for mass production. 

Prototype development: The first prototype was a Tesla Model Y in which the manufacturer’s default batteries were replaced with the HyperHybrid®.

Planned market introduction: It is the policy of the Obrist Group to launch the HyperHybrid® to market by the year 2025.

Ref: Germany wants to save the combustion engine, but without hydrogen: They have created an alcohol-based fuel (ecoticias)