PSA renews partnership for clean energy

7 May 2019

The PSA Group and the University of Orléans have renewed their OpenLab Energetics partnership contract. The aim of the joint research is to develop technologies that reduce CO2 emissions.

OpenLab Energetics is the product of PSA’s partnership with the University of Orléans, where both organisations provide knowledge and staff to develop new technologies.

The new contract, which is set for the next four years, also allows PSA to increase the partners’ expertise in: energy conversion, propulsion system efficiency and electrified powertrain optimisation.

′Extending our scientific partnership through this experimental platform must allow us to identify the best responses to the challenge of climate change we are facing, through a comprehensive lifecycle assessment of powertrains and the associated energy sectors.’

Eric Lalliard, Groupe PSA’s Chief Scientific Officer

OpenLab Energetics is just one of PSA’s 18 worldwide labs. These are based in France, China, Brazil and Morocco and focus on a variety of experimental technologies to prepare for the future.

Eric Lalliard, Groupe PSA’s Chief Scientific Officer, said: ′Extending our scientific partnership through this experimental platform must allow us to identify the best responses to the challenge of climate change we are facing, through a comprehensive lifecycle assessment of powertrains and the associated energy sectors.’

The partnership with the University has seen five funded projects in its eight-year existence and has also published 80 scientific articles. The project has ten PhD students and five hires by PSA Group.

Ary Bruand, President of the University of Orléans, said: ′The energy sector, and particularly environmental questions such as how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, is one of the University of Orléans’ major research focuses.’

Speaking at the Automotive News World Congress event at the Detroit motor show in 2018, CEO Carlos Tavares stated that the French group plans to bring electrified options to its full car and light-truck line-up by 2025. In total, 40 electric or hybrid models will be on offer across its five brands; Peugeot, Citroen, DS and the recently acquired Opel and Vauxhall marques. ′We want to become the most efficient carmaker … not the largest,’ Tavares said at the time.

PSA recently previewed its electrified Peugeot Boxer and Citroen Jumper vans and is exploring a partnership with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) that may involve developing electric vehicles together.