The motor was unveiled at the firm’s annual technology event in Beijing along with an eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) called the Gove.

The newly released motor, aimed for use in passenger vehicles, harnesses ammonia, a clean and readily available fuel source, as its primary energy source. This may represent a significant step toward combatting climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.

Ammonia (NH3) carries hydrogen better than hydrogen carries hydrogen, in some regards. It’s easier to handle since it’s liquid at ambient temperatures, and it thus doesn’t require energy-hungry compression or cryogenic liquefaction gear.

Guangzhou Automotive Group Co. (GAC) announced at a recent Tech Day presentation that it had developed a 2.0-liter engine capable of burning liquid ammonia safely and efficiently. GAC claims a 120 kW (161 hp) peak power output, and a 90% reduction in carbon emissions compared to conventional fuels.

Given that the GAC engine still appears to create some carbon dioxide, there’s possibly some other fuel source going in there as well. That’d make sense, as the low propagation speed of flame in ammonia tends to make engines struggle at high RPMs or low engine loads.

GAC will face other challenges if it truly wants to bring ammonia engines to the auto world – not the least of which will be a complete lack of fueling infrastructure, although this might give the industry breathing room to create a fueling system that’ll keep humans safe from this highly toxic substance.

According to CNBC