While competitors Peugeot and Citroen have invested in hybrids to lower their average CO2 emissions, Renault has focused on electric vehicles and is the most advanced European carmaker in this field. However, it looks like Renault won’t ignore hybrids anymore, according to a report from French newspaper Les Echos.
“We’re analyzing the progressive introduction of hybrids in our range by 2020. We are working with the range of available technologies,” Marc Bodin, Renault director for powertrain strategy, was quoted by the newspaper.
Renault is considering two technical solutions. The first one is the mild hybrid, which consists of integrating an electric motor with a minimum output of 10 kW to a conventional engine. The electric motor would be unable to move the car by itself, but could perform small maneuvers like parking, for instance. This layout would optimize the efficiency of the thermal engine and would reduce fuel consumption by 10 to 20 percent.
The second solution would be the plug-in hybrid, which would include an electric motor of at least 40 kW and batteries. This would allow the car to run on electric power alone, with the thermal engine acting as a back-up solution for when the batteries are depleted.
“The mild-hybrid has the advantage of being less expensive and allows us to target high volume segments, which is our vocation. As for the plug-in, it combines very interesting advantages. Provided that we get rid of the cost obstacle, since there are two big engines involved”, said Bodin.
According to the report, Renault would get help from alliance partner Nissan to develop its hybrids. The carmaker doesn’t say which models will first benefit from the technology, but the future Renault Espace, previewed at the Frankfurt Motor Show by the Initiale Paris concept car, is one of the candidates.
By Dan Mihalascu
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