Valeo Research Projects for Low-CO2 Vehicles Supported by French Environment Agency ADEME

PARIS - The French environment agency ADEME is supporting Valeo research projects. Two projects for low-CO2 vehicles, which have received 6 million euros in funding from ADEME, were presented yesterday at the French Sustainable Development Ministry:

- Mild hybrid (MHYGALE project)

Following the micro hybrid, mild hybridization represents the next step in the search for increasingly efficient hybrid solutions. The objective of this project is to develop an affordable mild hybrid solution that will significantly reduce CO2 emission levels on a global scale. It will enable an increase in the number of vehicles satisfying future European regulations of 120g CO2 /km in 2012 and 95g CO2 /km in 2020. This solution will offer Stop-Start, regenerative braking and torque assist functions.

Valeo’s partners in this project are PSA Peugeot Citroen, Freescale, ALTER and CEITECS, along with five public research laboratories.

- Electric vehicle thermal management (VEGA/THOP project)

This project aims to improve the range of electric and hybrid vehicles particularly in extreme temperatures, by offering innovative thermal systems which drastically reduce the amount of energy used to heat and cool the passenger compartment.

Two Renault Megane-type demonstration electric vehicles will be developed by 2011.

Valeo’s partners in this project are Renault, Saint Gobain, Hutchinson and two laboratories: CETHIL-INSA and LINC.

In addition to these two projects, Valeo will be filing a new dossier with ADEME, on behalf of the consortium formed with Michelin, Leroy Somer, GKN, JC Saft and Leoni. The aim of the project developed by this consortium is to develop two vehicles equipped with the partners’ products and technologies: one totally electric vehicle for urban and suburban use, and one rechargeable hybrid vehicle for multipurpose use. For both vehicles, Valeo will provide the driveline electronics and thermal management.

Valeo is an independent industrial Group fully focused on the design, production and sale of components, integrated systems and modules for cars and trucks. Valeo ranks among the world’s top automotive suppliers. The Group has 122 plants, 61 R&D centers, 10 distribution platforms and employs around 49,000 people in 27 countries worldwide.

For more information about the Group and its activities, please visit our web site www.valeo.com.

Source: Valeo Management Services

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