Hybrid vehicles

Demonstration vehicles

The development of internal combustion/electric hybrid engines is one of the strategic themes that IFP Energies nouvelles has opted to focus on in order to cut the fuel consumption of vehicles.

IFP Energies nouvelles is studying the different levels of hybridization that can potentially be applied to vehicles. The solutions proposed concern:

• the design and architecture of internal combustion. The aim is to optimize their performance in the context of a hybrid application,
• the development of innovative control strategies. The aim is to optimize engine function and onboard energy management.
   

Joint projects with industrial partners

Full Hybrid Prius demonstrator

IFP Energies nouvelles and GDF Suez have converted a serial production Toyota Prius adapted to natural gas. This demonstration vehicle won a prize at the 2006 Bibendum Challenge, thanks to its CO₂ emission levels of 75 g/km. This extremely low level for a vehicle of this size represents a saving of almost 50% compared to a gasoline vehicle in the same category.

VEHGAN (Natural Gas Hybrid Vehicle)

This small urban hybrid vehicle project , partially funded by the ADEME is conducted in collaboration with GDF Suez Valeo and INRETS. The project is based on optimized “mild hybridization” using the Stop & Start system and brake energy recovery.
For almost 10 years, IFP Energies nouvelles has been applying the concept of downsizing to controlled ignition engines, especially those running on gasoline. Downsizing consists in reducing the displacement of the engine, combining adapted turbocharging to maintain a level of performance comparable to that of the original engine. In particular, the Vehgan vehicle has been optimized for Natural gas stoechiometric operation, at the mobile coupling system, the turbocharger and the after-treatment system adapted to this fuel.
 

+ IFPEN research on hybrid vehicles

+ Press release ( July 2006) : Record fuel efficiency for the first all-natural-gas hybrid prototype developed by IFP Energies nouvelles and Gaz de France

+ Press release (29 Avril 2008) : "Vehgan urban vehicle: achieving low CO₂ through downsizing & NGV hybridization"

+ Electric vehicles & batteries (March 2011)