Researchers from the Technical University of Berlin have developed a first prototype of an HCCI (Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition) engine.

This clean and efficient engine could soon equip personal cars.

In the HCCI engine, fuel is mixed homogeneously with air, as in most gasoline engines today; ignition however takes place by compression, as in a diesel engine, but at a much lower temperature. This lower combustion temperature and the higher proportion of air virtually eliminates NOx emissions and lowers pumping losses. All in all, the gain in consumption is significant.

An additional 2,2 million euros were granted to continue the project, which is expected to continue over a period of 18 months. The project brings together several companies (including the automotive development company IAV GmbH) as well as two research groups from the Technical University of Berlin