Spanish Cenit Verde Project Concludes Test of Electric Seat Leon

SeatSeatSpain, 1950 > present29 models
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has officially ended the Cenit Verde project that had 16 companies and 14 public bodies testing plug-in electric Seat LeonsSeat Seat Leon Gen.3Spain, 2012 > present146 versions
246 photos
in Spain and developing an electric vehicle infrastructure for the last four years. Seat also showed the new Leon Verde that is meant as the final result of the project that uses a hybrid powertrain to take advantage of the plug-in network and gasoline range.

Cenit Verde was run by a variety of private companies and government agencies in Spain to setup and test the country's plug-in hybrid infrastructure. It cost €34 million over four years to conduct. Carmen Vela, Spanish Secretary of State for Research, was on hand for the program's official closure.

"It is a magnificent example of what can be achieved with a public-private- partnership. This is exactly what we are looking for our R&D system, that collaboration and coordination between the different players should work as it has done in this consortium comprising companies, universities, research centers and technological centers," she said.

A 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 121hp and a 101hp electric motor with an 8.8kWh battery from the Spanish company Ficosa power the Leon Verde. The battery pack has an integrated cooling system to keep it running at the optimum temperature.

It is an evolution of the old Leon TwinDriveSeat Leon TwinDrive Ecomo...Spain, 2012 > present6 photos
but based on the third generation platform and with new technology.

The car's charging system is smart enough to know when energy demands are lowest and only charge when it has the least effect on the power grid. It is also cheaper for the owner this way. It can also feed surplus energy back to the owner's home to reduce energy costs.

The Leon Verde also has a new Driving Cycle Predictor that memorizes the driver's style and routes. It can begin energy recharging earlier than normal to maximize regeneration.