A new project has set the ambitious goal of reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 30-40 per cent.

Known as the HyBoost project, this two-year research programme announced recently by the Technology Strategy Board, aims to demonstrate a cost-effective, ultra-efficient petrol engine in a C-segment passenger car. The research is being led by Ricardo, with partners including Controlled Power Technologies, Ford, Imperial College London, Valeo and the European Advanced Lead Acid Battery Consortium.

It hopes to produce a car that offers the performance of a 2.0litre model while keeping CO2 emissions below 100g/km. To achieve this, the partners will look into the synergistic application of an extremely downsized petrol engine as well as exhaust gas recovery, electrified boosting, micro-hybrid functionality with stop/start, regenerative braking, a novel energy storage technology and torque assist. 

According to Neville Jackson, Ricardo group technology director, HyBoost could take the ‘average car’ into a new, greener era.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

The technologies will be restricted to innovations that can be practically produced in the near term and must be constructed with readily available and affordable materials with high scalability required to meet the needs of the automotive industry at large.