Oct 5 2004
The Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) fuel system developed by Inergy Automotive Systems, a joint subsidiary of Solvay SA and Plastic Omnium, outperforms some of the world’s most stringent environmental standards - to be implemented in California - and has won the trust of global car manufacturers.
Inergy Automotive Systems has recently been selected to develop and supply fuel systems for one future Nissan and two new General Motors vehicle platforms which comply with California’s Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV) standard. The latest program adopted by the Air Resources Board provides that from 2005, car manufacturers will be required to market a mix of ultra clean vehicles in California, including a share of at least 6% of PZEVs.
The new PZEV requirements stipulate that fuel emissions must drop below 54 mg(*), down from an equivalent of 600 mg in 2001. The system developed by Inergy Automotive Systems outperforms Californian standards, as it emits less than 15 mg. This spectacular forty-fold improvement on the previous standards resulted from a combination of design and manufacturing innovations.
“Our R&D efforts and recent commercial achievements have successfully demonstrated that plastic fuel systems can match the world’s strictest emission standards and even anticipate further requirements. At the same time, our recyclable plastic systems contribute to reducing vehicle weight and, consequently, fuel consumption,” said Paul Wouters, Vice-President Research.
IAS is presenting its PZEV system at the Mondial de l’Automobile, the Paris car show, until October 10, 2004.
Inergy Automotive Systems’ PZEV system was distinguished by the Solvay Innovation Trophy (SIT), a contest aiming at rewarding new ideas which generate value for the Group and its stakeholders. 134 projects entered the SIT contest, demonstrating the dynamism of the Group’s innovation strategy, and were scrutinized by a jury consisting of an equal number of in-house experts and prominent independent personalities.
For more information on fuel cells, click here.