Renault will bring start-stop to all European models by 2010
Considering all of the work that Renault is doing with fuel cells and pure electric vehicles, it can be slightly deflating to remember that there are still a lot of gas-using vehicles to be sold before those alternatives are available. The good news, out today from Automotive News Europe (subs req'd), is that the company is now saying they will bring the micro hybrid system called start-stop to every model sold in Europe by 2010. Start-stop technology shuts down the motor down when the vehicle is not moving, and then instantly turns it back on when needed. The company is currently working on prototypes and believes CO2 emissions could be recuded by 15 percent to 20 percent in city driving and wants to provide the technology at a much cheaper price point than is currently availalbe.
[Source: Automotive News Europe (subs req'd)]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kevin 4:02PM (7/07/2008)
Just curious... but why is this called a "micro hybrid" system? Turning an engine off when stopped has NOTHING to do with the definition of "hybrid". True, the start/stop idea was introduced in hybrid vehicles, but just shutting down doesn't mean it has two different power sources, which is the definition of a hybrid.
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wettlaufer 4:23PM (7/08/2008)
Oh! This is horrible! A mild hybrid?? How lame. So behind the times. Groan!
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