The European Commission (EC) has granted French carmaker Renault an aid of EUR20.5m for the HYDIVU research and development program, which is aimed at developing a diesel hybrid technology for vans.
As part of the program, Renault will develop a hybrid engine specifically designed and optimised overall for commercial vehicles.
Of the total amount, EUR3.8m is in grants, EUR3.4m in repayable advances for industrial research and EUR13.1m in repayable advances for experimental development.
Renault will partner with three other companies including Continental, Valeo and LMS International along with a research body (IFPEN) to carry out this HYDIVU project.
This project will develop new hybrid engines for the Trafic and Master ranges by reducing diesel consumption and CO2 emissions of these two models.
EC vice-president and competition policy in charge Joaquín Almunia said: "This project should result in a substantial reduction in their fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, thereby contributing to the EU's targets for innovation, the environment and energy security, without affecting competition."
Previously, EC had also supported two other R&D activities for the development of a new system of hybrid engines through its funds in July 2013.
One is for the development of petrol hybrid engine by Valeo through ESSENCYELE project and the other is for the development of diesel hybrid engine through the 50CO2Cars project by PSA Peugeot Citron.
