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January 31, 2006
Diesel vehicle sales to overtake gasoline autos in Europe
While US and Japanese automakers focused on delivering fuel efficient hybrid cars that combine electric and gasoline propulsion systems, Europeans focused on making cleaner diesel engine.
A study by PriceWaterhouseCoopers found that diesel accounted for 49% of auto sales in Europe in 2005 and estimates that in 2006 diesel auto sales would exceed their gasoline counterpart.
Leading German automakers such as Mercedes, BMW and Volkswagon have been producing environmentally clean diesel autos for years. However making relatively low emission diesel cars require both newer technology engines and low sulphur diesel fuel. The cost of making cleaner diesel cars is creeping up more rapidly as a result.
Europeans are also experimenting hybrid diesel cars that combine fuel economy advantages of regular diesel engine and electric motors.
PSA Peugeot Citroën on Tuesday unveiled two prototype models with a new diesel-electric hybrid powertrain, the Peugeot 307 and the Citroën C4 Hybride HDi.
Average diesel consumption is 3.4 litres per 100 kilometres, with 90 grams of CO2 emitted per kilometre, tank to wheel - a claimed record for compact cars, the most popular segment in Europe. This is some 25% better than a similar vehicle equipped with a petrol hybrid system, or up to a litre per 100 kilometres in combined urban and motorway driving.
PSA Peugeot Citroën’s Hybrid HDi technology comprises of a 1.6-litre HDi diesel engine, a particulate filter system (DPFS) with the latest generation Stop & Start system, an electric motor, inverter, high-voltage battery pack and dedicated control electronics. The cars are also equipped with an electronically-managed automated manual six-speed gearbox.
Posted by admin at January 31, 2006 12:32 PM