During the cold winter days most citizens often idle their car engines for long periods to warm the engine and interior. This unnecessarily wastes fuel, costs money, causes excess engine wear and tear, and produces greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions and harmful air pollutants.

The proposed Block Heating Technology (BHT) for pre-heating the engine during the winter time can decrease both GHG emissions and ground level air pollutants. While avoiding engine idling, it saves fuel, reduces air pollution and GHG emissions, and extends the life of the vehicle. Nur-Sultan’s 350,000 registered vehicles can potentially reduce 430,00 tons of carbon emissions per year and save over 220 million liters of fuel.

Both public and private investments can be combined to introduce this technology within the city and spread the benefits to other cold cities in the region. Country-wide deployment of the BHT allows new technology transfer, creation of new jobs including project financing, local manufacturing, and further deployment of the same electrical piles for electric car charging.

The Block Heater Technology Business Fair is part of the block heater technology pilot demonstration under ADB’s Regional Technical Assistance (RETA 9308): Promoting Low-Carbon Development in Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program Cities. The pilot project facilitated the installation of engine block heaters and electric heater comfort kits in several vehicles from Astana Taxi, Toyota City, the Kazakhstan National Railway, and the Akimat of Nur-Sultan. Electrical charging piles were also installed in public and government parking zones.

The business fair linked international suppliers with national/local governments and local enterprises for possible partnerships. Experience in installing the engine block heaters and electrical chargers through the pilot project were also shared. Potential investment and cooperation support programs were also presented.