Hybrid Air (© PSA Peugeot Citroën)
peugeot’s latest is just hot air
by Tim Willmott : Comments Off on peugeot’s latest is just hot air
PSA Peugeot Citroën has announced that it is developing an all-new technology combining gasoline internal combustion engine and compressed air storage. “Hybrid Air” is a key step in the path toward fuel consumption of 2 l/100 km. The major innovation lies in the way the powertrain adapts to driving styles, adjusting independently to one of three modes: Air, Gasoline, Combined. Hybrid Air technology will be fitted on models from 2016. The marketing website is here.
Whilst air technology innovators MDI Enterprises continues to develop its FlowAir car, Peugeot Citroën has powered into pole position with this announcement.
The car uses a new type of full hybrid powertrain that uses petrol and compressed air:
- An innovative combination of tried and tested technologies: a petrol engine, a unit to store energy in the form of compressed air, a hydraulic motor-pump assembly and an automatic transmission working with an epicyclic gear train.
- The smart control system adapts the operating mode to the driver’s commands and optimises energy efficiency in three different modes: ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle), petrol internal combustion and combined.
The car promises fuel savings of 45% in city driving, offering a 90% increase in range in comparison with conventional engines, and 60% to 80% in ZEV mode in city driving, depending on the traffic.
In comparison with electric cars, vehicle space is maintained (no monster battery), and it is an essentially mechanical system, for easier and more economical maintenance. It has a small environmental footprint with easily recyclable materials.
The technology has been developed in partnership with the French State and includes strategic technology partners Bosch and Faurecia.
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Article by Tim Willmott
Tim is the creator of sustainapedia.com and heads digital publisher Treading Lightly. His interests include nature and wild places, cooking, film, sport and music. He is a poet, writer and commentator.
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