PSA Compressed Air Hybrid on Track to Be on Sale by 2015

PSA PeugeotPeugeotFrance, 1882 > present120 models
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says its HybridAir compressed air hybrid that it developed with Bosch will be ready for sale by 2015. It had originally predicted that the technology would be ready for the road in 2016.

The system, which it previewed on the 208 Hybrid FE Concept, uses a compressed air tank at the car’s rear to provide power to a hydraulic motor when taking off from a stop. Regenerative braking provides the power to compress more air into the system. The system automatically functions in hybrid mode below 70km/h. According to PSA, the system adds about 100kg to the weight of the car.

For the concept, Peugeot claimed that the car would use an average of 2.8l/100km (100mpg UK or 83.27mpg US) and emissions of about 70g/km of CO2. In city driving, the system can run on the compressed air for 60% to 80% of the time. They say that it will be cheaper than a traditional hybrid to build and have a lower cost to own.

PSA has not said what type of range the compressed air hybrid would offer.

Source: Car Scoops