HyBoost aims for 30-40 per cent CO2 reduction
Details of the HyBoost project have been announced, outlining the aim of this research collaboration led by Ricardo in partnership with Controlled Power Technologies, the European Advanced Lead Acid Battery Consortium, Ford, Imperial College London, and Valeo, to demonstrate the ultimate in gasoline engine fuel efficiency using practical and near market-ready technologies.
The HyBoost project is a two-year research programme, announced recently by the Technology Strategy Board, which aims to demonstrate a very cost-effective, ultra-efficient gasoline engine in a C-segment passenger car. The vehicle will offer the performance of a 2.0 litre model but with a real-world 30-40 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions to below 100g/km. This is to be achieved through the synergistic application of an extremely downsized gasoline engine coupled with electrified boosting and exhaust gas energy recovery, micro-hybrid functionality with stop/start, torque assist and regenerative braking, and a novel energy storage technology.
The technologies to be incorporated in the HyBoost demonstrator vehicle will be restricted to innovations which are capable of practical production implementation in the near term; they must be constructed with readily available and affordable materials, and have the high scalability required by the automotive sector. The HyBoost project is supported by an investment from the Government-backed Technology Strategy Board with balancing resources provided by the project partners.
Commenting on the HyBoost project, Neville Jackson, Ricardo group technology director said: “HyBoost aims to demonstrate the very significant benefits that can be achieved using an intelligent combination of innovative technologies to deliver low carbon transport solutions. The stated targets of this research would enable a consumer-attractive "average car" to be offered with CO2 emissions well below the mandated future target set for the European fleet average without compromising vehicle performance”