Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) announced it had agreed to collaborate with Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology to develop low emission automotive fuel.
The three organisations will pool their respective expertise and resources over the next two years to develop ultra lean burn fuel for internal combustion engines (ICE), with the aim of reducing CO2 emissions.
Hyundai said it was already carrying out various R&D activities in-house to minimise greenhouse gas emissions from ICE vehicles during its transition to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).
The company aims to cut its carbon emissions by 75% by 2040 compared with the 2019 level and to net zero CO2 emissions by 2045.
It has set a target for EVs to account for 30% of new vehicle sales globally by 2030 and 80% by 2040.
Alain Raposo, EVP of HMG’s Electrified Propulsion Technical Unit, said in a statement: “BEVs and FCEVs will be Hyundai’s ultimate technology to achieve carbon neutral mobility while eco-friendly ICE technology which combines eco friendly fuel and ultra lean burn engines will be key to effectively reducing greenhouse gas emissions during our transition to EVs.”
The company explained: “Unlike conventional fuel manufacturing, e fuels are synthesised from green hydrogen, produced by water electrolysis using renewable electricity, and carbon dioxide, resulting in 80% lower life cycle emissions. The ultra lean burn engine is an eco friendly technology which increases thermal efficiency and fuel economy compared to conventional engines leading to further reductions in greenhouse gases.”
Hyundai Motor said the new partnership aimed to develop advanced fuel formulations for use in combination with a novel combustion system. The automaker said it would provide an ultra lean burn petrol engine for use by the research team.