Five Stroke Engines = Improved Energy Efficiency

While Energy Independence Now strives for zero emissions transportation, the reality is that only a limited number of zero emission vehicles are  available for lease  by the general public, and it will take a number of years  before all transportation is zero emissions.  As a result, the highly energy inefficient and polluting four stroke gasoline engine will continue to provide our main source of automotive transportation over the near term.  Recent technological improvements in vehicle technology, such as the gas-electric hybrid engine found in vehicles such as the Toyota Prius, Honda Insight and others have helped reduce carbon and other vehicle emissions.  In an attempt to further improve upon and redefine the gasoline engine, a company called Ilmor Engineering has developed a “five stroke” engine that offers fuel economy similar to that of the diesel engine without the particulate emissions.  Additionally, the engine is much smaller than a conventionalfour-stroke gasoline engine for the same brake horsepower.  Imor claims that their 0.7 liter engine is capable of producing 150 horsepower.  In comparison, Mazda produces a much larger 2.0 liter engine that produces 148 brake horsepower while using more fuel to operate.  Additionally, the engine will weigh 20 percent less than a conventional engine with similar power output.  A lighter vehicle allows for an even greater fuel economy.  And importantly, from the vehicle manufacturers point of view, the five stroke engine utilizes conventional technology which does not require new manufacturing techniques.  As a result, the cost to implement this new technology can be expected to be much lower than other fuel saving options.

Photo credit: ilmor.co.uk

For more information on this engine, check out Ilmor’s website at:

http://www.ilmor.co.uk/concept_5-stroke_1.php

- Scott