US based internal combustion engine maker Achates Power has received $9m in funding from the US Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) to develop an opposed-piston, gasoline compression ignition (OPGCI) engine.
The new OPGCI engine is expected to reducing the overall cost of the powertrain system, and when compared to a downsized, turbo-charged direct injection gasoline engine.
The new OPGCI claimed to be up to 50% fuel efficient and will reduce the cost of the powertrain system.
Argonne National Laboratory and Delphi Automotive are also a part of the three year project and plan to spend $13m on the program, including cost share.
As per the project, Achates will deliver a three-cylinder, three liter opposed-piston, gasoline compression ignition engine that can be fitted in large passenger vehicles, pick-up trucks, SUVs and minivans.
Achates' engine architecture will also allow the company to adopt the technology for twoand four-cylinder engines that can be deployed in small SUVs, CUVs, and heavy-duty pick-up market.
Achates Power CEO David Johnson said: "Argonne and Delphi have already shown on conventional four-stroke engines that the potential of gasoline compression ignition (GCI) is significant - GCI provides diesel-like efficiencies, in a gasoline engine, without typical diesel engine and after treatment cost penalties.
"Our opposed-piston engines have demonstrated superior efficiency and cleanliness when operating on diesel fuel. Combining our opposed-piston engine with GCI technologies will forever change the internal combustion engine market."
Image: Achates Power Gasoline Compression Ignition Opposed-Piston Engine. Photo: courtesy of PR Newswire.
