IFP's demonstrators of hybrid vehicles

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Hybrid vehicles

Demonstrator vehicles

The development of thermal/electric hybrid engines is one of the strategic themes that IFP has opted to focus on in order to cut the fuel consumption of vehicles.

IFP is studying the different types of hybridization that can potentially be applied to vehicles. The solutions proposed concern:

the design and architecture of thermal engines. The aim is to optimize their performance in the context of a hybrid application,
the development of innovative control strategies. The aim is to optimize engine function and onboard energy management.

Joint projects with industrial partners

Full Hybrid Prius demonstrator

IFP and GDF Suez have developed a standard Toyota Prius adapted to natural gas. This demonstrator won a prize at the 2006 Bibendum Challenge, thanks to the CO₂ emission levels of 75 g/km. This extremely low level for a vehicle of this size represents a saving of almost 50% compared to a gasoline vehicle in the same category.

VEHGAN (Natural Gas Hybrid Vehicle)

This small urban hybrid vehicle project , partially funded by the ADEME is conducted in collaboration with GDF Suez Valeo and INRETS. The project is based on optimized “mild hybridization” using the Stop & Start system and brake energy recovery.
For almost 10 years, IFP has been applying the concept of downsizing to controlled ignition engines, especially those running on gasoline. Downsizing consists in reducing the displacement of the engine, combining adapted turbocharging to maintain a level of performance comparable to that of the original engine. In particular, the Vehgan vehicle has been optimized for Natural gas stoechiometric operation, at the mobile coupling system, the turbocharger and the after-treatment system adapted to this fuel.