French car maker PSA Peugeot-Citroen and German auto-parts maker Bosch are premiering a joint research project called Optimal Energy Consumption and Recovery solution (OpEneR), for electric vehicles (EVs), at the ongoing International Environmentally Responsible Car Show (RIVE) in Ales, France.
Designed to improve the range of future hybrid and EVs through optimised energy management, the new solution would allow drivers to cut their fuel consumption by freewheeling or regenerative braking for the vehicles.
The partners have also designed three technologies with OpEneR, including an electric powertrain based on two e-machines that offer four-wheel drive as well as carbon-free driving.
The powertrain also allows the driver to select between front or rear wheel drive mode according to driving and road conditions.
Other technologies designed under the project include new Stop & Start system to enable freewheeling and an electronic stability program (ESP) that allows recovering energy when braking and recharge the battery, together with the iBooster that increases vacuum-free brake pressure.
Being part of the European Commission's Green Cars initiative, the project involves five partners including Bosch, AVL List and PSA Peugeot Citroen, the Karlsruhe Research Centre in Germany and the Galician Automotive Technology Centre (CTAG).
