Weichai Group, one of the leading heavy truck and component manufacturers in China, launched the world's first commercial diesel engine with a thermal efficiency of 51.09 percent on Jan 8 in Jinan, capital of Shandong province.

The world's first commercial diesel engine with a thermal efficiency of 51.09 percent is launched by Weichai Group on Jan 8. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

At present, green and low-carbon development has become a global consensus. China has promised to peak its carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, and the internal combustion engine industry plays an important role in achieving this target, said industry insiders.

In 2020, the total fuel consumption of China's diesel engine industry was about 160 million tons. Compared with the 46 percent thermal efficiency diesel engines, which were the highest level of existing products in the market, Weichai's new diesel engine can reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by 10 percent respectively, saving 16 million tons of oil annually and achieving economic benefits of about 140 billion yuan ($21.97 billion). Carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced by 50 million tons per year.

Tan Xuguang, chairman of Weichai Group, noted that the improvement of the thermal efficiency is a common pursuit of the global industry since the birth of the diesel engine 125 years ago, and is a symbol of the comprehensive strength of a country's diesel engine technology.

Last year, Weichai launched the world's first commercial diesel engine with a thermal efficiency of 50.23 percent. This year, the new diesel engine has a thermal efficiency of 51.09 percent, and is another major advancement of traditional power, said Tan, adding that it is of great strategic significance to promoting energy conservation, emission reduction and green development in the Chinese traditional internal combustion engine industry.

Representatives from TÜV SÜD, a global testing, inspection and certification institution, announced that the Weichai WP13H engine passed strict and standardized on-site tests, proving that the engine's thermal efficiency is 51.09 percent, and issued a test report to the enterprise.

Weichai Group receives a test report for the 51.09 percent thermally efficient diesel engine from TÜV SÜD. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]