Advanced hybrid combustion systems as a part of efforts to achieve carbon neutrality of the vehicles

Abstract Global goals, including those of the EU, are focussed on transition to the green, circular and low-carbon economy. The intention within the framework of EU is to achieve the zero level of CO_2 emissions for the new cars till the year 2035. An important part of this plan is the agreement between Germany and the European Union that the new vehicles equipped with the internal combustion engines can continue to be sold only in such a case if they will use solely the climate-neutral fuel. Therefore, the future will probably belong to application of the advanced low-temperature technologies in combination with the climate-sustainable fuels (e.g. synthetic fuels, hydrogen). The presented scientific-research work introduces two new low-temperature combustion systems, which were developed and patented at the national level. At the same time, these new combustion systems are tested in cooperation with a reputable automotive producer. It is necessary to emphasize such a positive fact that the obtained results prove relevance of the innovative combustion systems as well as their possible future applicability in the real vehicles as a part of the advanced hybrid drive system. Graphical abstract Highlights Nowadays, the significant efforts are focussed on reduction of gaseous emissions generated by the transport, what is resulting in development of electromobility. CO_2 neutrality in the transport sector cannot be reached by the electromobility alone. A potential solution is a combination of the sustainable fuels and advanced low-temperature combustion technologies. These two systems, which are presented in the article, were the subject of experimental research and development. Discussion Within the EU, there are strong efforts for a total restriction of internal combustion engines. The German Association of Automotive Industry (VDA) declares that “CO_2 neutrality in the transport sector cannot be solved by the electromobility alone”. The official statement of VDA continues: “Even if, in ideal case, we had 15 million electric cars on the roads in 2030, most of the vehicles will still be equipped with combustion engines. Nowadays, 280 million cars are using combustion engines in everyday operation in the EU and there are 1.5 billion of them worldwide. Climate-neutral transport is impossible without new structure of global vehicle fleet and its decarbonisation”. According to VDA, the only solution, how to reduce emission footprint, using the current vehicle fleet, is application of the synthetic fuels. Therefore, still more resources should be invested into research and development of new sustainable fuels.