Saudi Aramco, Mazda and AIST to develop low-emission engines

By Olivia Minnock
Oil and gas giant Saudi Aramco has partnered with Japanese carmaker Mazda Motor Corporation and Japan’s National Institute of Adv...

Oil and gas giant Saudi Aramco has partnered with Japanese carmaker Mazda Motor Corporation and Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) for the development of more efficient, lower-carbon engines.

Saudi Aramco will utilise Gasoline Compression Ignition (GCI) technology to provide low-carbon fuel, while Mazda will develop a prototype of an efficient engine, with the research and development to take place at AIST in Tokyo. The research programme is set to be completed in 2020.

In a press release, Mazda explained that the research will largely focus on developing a ‘low-carbon fuel’ as well as looking at the internal combustion engines that use the fuel. The companies feel this is important because in 2035, despite global efforts to move toward electric cars and the like, 85% of vehicles around the world will still be using combustion engines.

See also:

Softbank to develop world’s largest solar farm in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Aramco confirms strategic interest in SABIC

Read the latest edition of Energy Digital magazine

Ahmad O. Al-Khowaiter, Chief Technology Officer at Saudi Aramco, stated: “This cooperative research with Mazda and AIST underscores our shared commitment to delivering advanced technology solutions that make a significant impact on real-world issues, notably a sustainable, affordable mobility future.”

Saudi Aramco has emphasised its support of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 which will diversify the country’s economy in order to reduce reliance on oil.

The company has taken several steps toward a more sustainable future, including agreeing to plant 1mn trees in Saudi Arabia. In May this year, the largest oil and gas company in the world announced that it would plant 26 varieties of trees and seedlings with low water consumption, to preserve natural resources in Saudi Arabia.

For Mazda’s part, this project is in line with its Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030 initiative which aims to “use driving pleasure, the fundamental appeal of the automobile, to help solve issues facing people, the earth and society”.

 

Share

Featured Articles

Energy efficiency: delivering measurable ROI

Tuomo Hoysniemi, Division President, Drive Products at ABB, explains how investing in energy efficiency today maximises savings over the long term

From carbon to clean: The global energy transition

Navigating the complex energy transition is crucial to combat climate change. Stakeholders must collaborate to bridge the gap in expectation and reality

Formula 1 meets biofuel as DHL enables sustainable logistics

Introducing bio-fuelled trucks to the Formula 1 World Championship is a major step in decarbonising motorsport and a triumph for logistics firms DHL

The true definition and benefits of a smart city

Smart Energy

Global renewable energy investment to battle the oil sector

Renewable Energy

Energy cyber threats: what are the motives for disruption?

Technology & AI