These annual awards are presented to manufacturers, service companies and individuals who have achieved the highest possible level of excellence in their sector.
Hybrid Air is a full-hybrid solution that combines a petrol engine, compressed air and hydraulic power to deliver fuel economy in excess of 94mpg.
It uses an intelligent electronic management unit to switch between three operating modes - Air Power, Petrol Power and Combined Power. Optimising energy efficiency in this way cuts fuel consumption and helps recharge the energy storage unit with compressed air.
The breakthrough technology impressed the Fleet World Honours judging panel, who said PSA Peugeot Citroën has a long-standing reputation as a technological pioneer. "Hybrid Air is the latest in an impressive lineage of green innovations, which have debuted in its product portfolio. This simple, but effective, solution will offer substantial efficiency improvements for PSA's future superminis without the expense of hybrid batteries. A lot of other manufacturers will be wondering why they didn't get there first."
George Harbourne, Peugeot Managing Director said, the company is truly delighted with the Fleet World Environment Honour. "With HYbrid Air technology, Peugeot is confirming on the one hand our strategy of reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and on the other hand the brand’s pioneering nature. This technology is a key step in achieving the goal of 2.0L/100km, and it is a feature destined to have a widespread application due to its simplicity and durability."
A Citroën C3 and a Peugeot 208 fitted with a Hybrid Air drivetrain were both unveiled at the 83rd Geneva Motor Show in March 2013. These prototype models achieve CO2 emissions of just 69g/km and a record-breaking 97mpg and 140mpg fuel economy respectively over a combined cycle.
