France Approves Funding for Low CO2 Vehicles

France has approved funding today, through Agence de l'Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l'Energie (ADEME, the local environment agency), for two low-CO2 emission vehicles to be developed by a group led by Valeo, just-auto.com reported. The total funding amounts to 6 million euro.

The first of the two projects is a mild hybrid which is intended, as are its siblings in other countries, to be both affordable and environmentally friendly. Although details are very sketchy, what is sure is that the future vehicle will also make use of regenerative braking, torque assist function and start-stop system.

The project will allow increasing the number of vehicles which will be compliant with future European emission regulations: 120g CO2/km in 2012 and 95g CO2/km in 2020. Not being a car manufacturer, Valeo will partner with one of the two major car manufacturers in France: PSA Peugeot Citroen. In addition, Valeo will also partner with Saint Gobain, Hutchinson and two laboratories: CETHIL-INSA and LINC.

The second project is intended for the development of an electric vehicle, including an electric cabin climate control which aims to improve the range of electric and hybrid vehicles in extreme temperatures. The companies involved will try and make the system as energy efficient as possible in such conditions.

When the project concludes, France will have two new vehicles: a brand new fully electric one, to be used in urban-suburban environments, as well as a rechargeable one to be used outside cities. Valeo's part in the matter is to provide the driveline electronics and thermal management systems for both vehicles.