Press releases

Vehgan urban vehicle: achieving low CO2 through downsizing & NGV hybridization

29 April 2008

Following the optimization, in 2004, of a first vehicle used to validate the relevance of the Natural Gas concept combined with innovative powertrain technologies - including downsizing - IFP has been developing a new SMART NGV prototype combined with hybridization. The work, partly funded by ADEME (French Agency for Environment and Energy Management), is being conducted in partnership with Gaz de France, VALEO and INRETS (French National Institute for Research into Transport and Transport Safety) as part of a project approved by PREDIT (French National Program for research, experimentation and innovation in land transport).

The Vehgan demonstrator is based on powertrain technologies that combine strong turbocharged downsizing and "Mild-Hybrid"-type optimized hybridization.

For almost 10 years, IFP has been applying the downsizing concept to spark ignition engines, particularly those that run on gasoline. Downsizing consists in reducing the engine displacement and combining this with the appropriate turbocharging to maintain a level of performance comparable with that of the original engine. In particular, the Vehgan engine has been optimized for Natural Gas stoichiometric operation, at the level of the mobile coupling, the turbocharger and the post-treatment system adapted to this fuel.

IFP is developing algorithms to control the IC engine and the original automatic manual transmission (AMT) gearbox, as well as optimum onboard energy management on the basis of the Valeo’s StARS 14V+X system. The hybrid system fulfills the "Stop-Start" function (IC engine cut when the vehicle stops) and enables recovery of the deceleration energy stored in supercapacitors. It also provides vehicle take-off and acceleration assistance.

With a range of around 200 km, the vehicle is equipped with ultra-light composite tanks integrated under the chassis, with no impact on the passenger compartment.

Combining these concepts into a hybrid urban natural gas vehicle also leads to a significant environmental performance without compromising driver comfort, which remains comparable to that of a mass-produced gasoline vehicle (electric clutch and gear ratio selection maintained): CO₂ emissions of 84 g/km – therefore already in compliance with the future Euro-5 standard. This figure is likely to improve thanks to current developments, which will take emission levels to below 80 g/km of CO₂, i.e. a 32% improvement compared with the gasoline model.

IFP is a public research and training body with internationally renowned expertise, dedicated to developing the transport energies of the 21st century. It provides public players and industry with innovative solutions for a smooth transition to the energies and materials of tomorrow – more efficient, more economical, cleaner and sustainable.
 

+ Research themes > fuel-efficient vehicles > Hybrides vehicles