Fiat To Enter Hybrid Production By 2011

Fiat has announced that it is developing both gasoline- and diesel-electric hybrid drive systems that could be in production by 2011. Fiat says that it is still in the "research phase" but expects that if all goes well, the hybrid power trains will enter production quickly. One of the company's goals is to reduce CO2 emissions in its new models.

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has set a company goal of producing the lowest CO2 emissions of any European automaker by 2012, the same year in which European Commission regulations require manufacturers to meet a CO2 emission average of 120g/km.

The drive systems are designed for small cars and vans, and will be able to power vehicles on short trips using only the electric motor. According to the company, small cars and "city cars" will use a 900 cc two-cylinder gasoline-electric hybrid, which might reduce CO2 emissions to as little as 90g/km and easily surpass the EC's emissions mandate. Fiat's larger delivery vans will use a four-cylinder 2.3L diesel-electric powertrain.

The company has not yet announced the type of battery it expects to use in the vehicles, but has indicated that it is in talks with several suppliers. Fiat has been experimenting with alternative power systems, including hydrogen- and methane-powered vehicles, for about five years. The move toward a hybrid powertrain will allow the company to meet EC emissions standards while it continues to develop other low- or zero-emission technologies.

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