PSA Peugeot Citroen leads the way in low emissions vehicles

PSA Peugeot Citroen again confirmed its leading status in low emissions vehicles in 2006, with European sales of nearly a million vehicles with emissions of less than 140g CO2/km. Of these, more than 450,000 units emit less than 120g CO2/km - 38% of this segment in Europe – and 200,000 emit less than 110g CO2/km.

In France, the Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME) has placed PSA Peugeot Citroen top of its rankings for low average fleet CO2 emissions for the second year running. Across all new car sales in France, average CO2 emissions were just 140g/km in 2006.

This performance reflects an active commitment that has long led the Group to focus its research and development on lowering CO2 emissions.

One of the determining factors in meeting this goal has been the comprehensive revitalisation of the engine line-up. The broad deployment of modern HDi common-rail technologies across the Peugeot and Citroen model ranges has driven a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions compared with the previous generation of engines. More than nine million vehicles equipped with HDi common-rail engines have been sold to date.

For petrol engines, the joint development with BMW Group, which has produced the new family of small advanced 1.6-litre engines with variable valve control or turbo direct injection, has led to a further 10% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to the engines they replace. These engines are already available on the Peugeot 207.

Other technologies, such as the Stop & Start system introduced on the Citroen C2 and C3, can cut CO2 emissions by 8 to 15% in city driving.

PSA Peugeot Citroen is pursuing other research projects to reduce CO2 emissions, especially through the Hybrid HDi programme. The Peugeot 307 and Citroen C4 Hybrid HDi demonstrators have set radical new performance standards with fuel consumption of 3.4 litre/100 km and CO2 emissions of 90 g/km.

All of these initiatives support the Group’s ongoing commitment to significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.