Transforming automotive emissions

: the impact of ammonia engines and nano-electro fuel technologies on environmental sustainability

Abstract

The automotive industry is at a standpoint, faced with the critical challenge of reducing its environmental footprint. This dissertation examines the transformative potential of ammonia engines and nano-electro fuels as potential solutions to achieving a carbon-free future. Ammonia engines provide a revolutionary path, cutting CO₂ emissions with minimal change to current infrastructure. In parallel, NEFs are an innovative approach to tackle battery technology, leveraging on renewable electricity and offering improvements in power delivery, battery life, and overall efficiency. The research integrates qualitative insights from industry experts with quantitative data from a survey of automotive professionals to assess the adoption potential, benefits, and barriers of both of these technologies. The findings suggest that while ammonia engine and NEFs have great potential for improving environmental sustainability, their widespread adoption is currently impeded by high costs, technical challenges, and the industry’s focus on electric vehicles. Regulatory pressure and the industry’s ability to adapt to new technologies is essential for overcoming these barriers. This study highlights the crucial need for investments and collaborative efforts to integrate these technologies into the automotive world, driving the industry towards a greener future.

Date of Award	17 Oct 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Peter V. Rajsingh (Supervisor)