French giants Michelin and Valeo have formed a partnership to develop and produce both plug-in hybrid cars and all-electric cars.
The announcement comes on the back of Michelin introducing its revolutionary active wheel technology, which sees dual electric motors inside wheels that propel the car and control the suspension. They will be used in electric cars produced by Heuliez from 2010 onwards.
Michelin believes that fuel cell-powered or battery cars that use Active Wheel technology will not require a clutch, gearbox, transmission shift, anti-roll bar or a universal joint. The Active Wheel technology is a standard wheel with one electric motor spinning the wheel while the other works as an active suspension system.
According to Valeo CEO Thierry Morin, his company will assemble a powertrain system that the car will be built around. The companies are said to be seeking a car manufacturer to join a consortium and they may team up with either a French of German automaker.
Valeo, a specialist in electrical systems, will concentrate on producing engine and battery cooling systems, as well as lighting, energy management and climate control. It has already made in-roads into the green car market as it supplied the drivetrain for more than 10,000 electric vehicles created by PSA Peugeot Citroen and Renault.
