With increasing restrictions being placed on reciprocating engine emissions and increasing demands for energy efficiency, the traditional spark ignition system is quickly reaching its practical durability limits as well as its effectiveness in igniting ultra-lean fuel/air mixtures. an alternative solution to standard spark plug is the use of pulsed laser. the use of laser pulse as an ignition source is also associated with plethora of advantages: • feasibility to choose the position for plasma formation. • since there is no discharge between the electrodes, therefore absence of erosion effects and redundancy in plasma formation is ensured. • the lifetime is higher than conventional spark plugs. • allows ignition of leaner mixtures and thus reduced nox emissions. • precise ignition timing. the feasibility of positioning of plasma gives an advantage to position it exactly at the middle of the cylinder. this would support better flame kernel development and also divert the energy wasted at cylinder walls to some useful work. absence of erosion effects and reduced nox emissions could lead to higher engine efficiency. the automobile industry around the world is going through a transformation phase. the introduction of such new technique if implemented correctly could prove out to be a major breakthrough in the automobile world. second phase of the research involved development of a hydrogen fueled engine that is ignited by laser ignition. the objective was to judge whether hydrogen could be used as a fuel for the future.