August 2009
Summary
Réalités industrielles
The private automobile of the future
Complete issue
This issue was coordinated
by Philippe HIRTZMAN
This issue was coordinated
Editorial
By Pierre COUVEINHES
Avant–propos : L'automobile à l'horizon 2030 par Pierre-Franck CHEVET
Energetic challenges
Energy and sustainable mobility
By Olivier APPERT
Président de l'Institut français du pétrole (IFP)
Given current needs in terms of mobility, people have turned toward a means of transportation that is both private and fast. As a consequence, cars now account for the majority of trips made in the world. The challenges raised by mobility are closely linked to energy issues…
Electricity, the energy of the future for private vehicles
By Igor CZERNY
Directeur du Transport et des Véhicules Électriques Électricité de France
Intense competition between electric motors, steam engines and internal combustion motors marked the first thirty years of the automobile era. After nearly vanishing due to competition from vehicles using products derived from petroleum, electric vehicles made an unsuccessful comeback during the 1990s. Like aces in the hole, they have come back again — the subject of research and in-depth experiments for validating the technical solutions and business model.
The prospects of natural gas vehicles in France and Europe
By Jean-Marc NICOLLE
Président de l'Association Française du Gaz Naturel pour Véhicules (AFGNV)
Given the availability and environmental advantages of natural gas, several countries soon felt that natural gas vehicles (NGVs) were a logical way to respond to transportation needs while meeting up to the standards of sustainable development. Natural gas is now a genuine alternative to petroleum products, and NGVs are capable of using the current engine technology.
The development of biofuels
By Alain JEANROY
Directeur général de CGB et coordinateur agricole de la filière éthanol
With respect to using renewable sources of energy for transportation, two major events have occurred a year part: the signing in December 2007 by President Bush of the Energy Independence and Security Act, and the energy and climate agreement between the European Parliament and European Council, including a directive on boosting renewable sources of energy.
Trends in technology
The midterm prospects of an automobile for the general public
By Philippe HIRTZMAN
Ingénieur général des Mines Président de la section "Sécurité et risques" du Conseil général de l'industrie, de l'énergie et des technologies
Car-makers are facing a twofold challenge: possible hikes in gasoline prices and the risk of global warming. Under these conditions, how to compare the various sorts of motor technology that can be designed for private vehicles?
We have not heard the last of thermoelectric propulsion: A parts manufacturer’s point of view
By Guillaume DEVAUCHELLE
Directeur "Recherche et développement" du groupe VALEO
While newspapers often run headlines about “disenchantment” with the automobile, we might seem outdated when mentioning the progress to be expected from thermal vehicles. Neither traffic jams nor police radar nor taxes nor, for that matter, anti-automobile campaigns have managed to calm feelings. The debate about cars is intense. The automobile turns out to be anything but an “ordinary” product.
Might current debates not have overlooked safety?
By Guy MAUGIS
Président de Robert BOSCH (France)
In debates about the vehicle of the future, CO2 emissions are the foremost topic by far. Without denying the importance of either global warming or the impact of urban pollution on health, we are surprised by the widespread indifference that leads to accepting the “ordinary” death toll on our roads weekend after weekend — not to mention the inflamed arguments about speed limits…
The tire industry and the context of “evolutionary vehicle technology”: Impact and prospects
By Jean-Marie MUS
Groupe Michelin, Recherche Avancée
Thanks to efforts in research and development, the friction of rolling tires has been cut in half over the past thirty years. However it still consumes a very significant part of a motor vehicle’s energy: up to more than 20% for thermal vehicles and 30% for fully electric ones. There is still a potential for considerable progress. Besides, designing a system of wheels with an electric motor and suspension could represent a decisive technological breakthrough.
Toyota’s hybrid technology
By Michel GARDEL
Président de Toyota France
Toyota has laid down its approach to environmental questions by developing a hybrid motor technology. As a result, Toyota Prius, the first hybrid car to have been mass-produced worldwide, was put on the market in 1997. The third generation of the Prius has just come out…
Strategies
The electric car, the new axis of industrial policy
By Grégoire POSTEL-VINAY
Ingénieur général des mines Direction Générale de la Compétitivité, de l'Industrie et des Services Ministère de l'Économie, de l'Industrie et de l'Emploi
Between 1895 and 1914, the atmosphere in the newborn automobile industry was exciting and inventive. In many ways, it resembled the current atmosphere inside this industry as it undergoes a recession. Twenty years from now however, the winners in the race now under way might not at all be the parties that won out in the past.
In ten years, one out of three cars will be electric
By Thierry KOSKAS
Directeur du Programme Véhicule Électrique chez Renault
et Patrick PÉLATA
Directeur Général Délégué du groupe Renault
The Renault-Nissan alliance has set as priority the development of an electric vehicle. This strategy provides it with the opportunity for making a pioneering breakthrough in the history of the automobile industry. The times are riper than ever for this type of vehicle, but several major issues must be addressed.
BMW: On the move toward less pollution and more pleasure!
By Christophe KOENIG
Technology and Corporate Communication/ AK-EU-FR - BMW Group France
As part of its Efficient Dynamics Program, the BMW Group has systematically studied solutions for improving the performance of motor vehicles in terms of energy and the environment while still making driving a pleasure. The classical internal combustion engine, electric or hybrid vehicles… and even a hydrogen motor have been developed in parallel.
The government’s commitment to research and innovation
By Jean-Louis LEONARD
Député de Charente-Maritime, président du Prédit (programme de recherche et d'innovation dans les transports terrestres)
French industrial policy and the Grenelle of the Environment, which assembled officials and organizations for a wide-ranging discussion of environmental issues, have imparted a new driving force to the government’s commitment to research on the vehicle of the future. Government interventionism in this field is not new. Though dating back to the 1980s, it has grown considerably since 2000, as the regulatory and organizational conditions underlying it have been modified.
The Mov’eoTEC pole
By Guy BOURGEOIS
Directeur Général de l'Institut National de Recherche sur les Transports et leur Sécurité (INRETS)
Mov’eo is one of France’s most promising technology clusters. Located in Versailles-Satory, this Competitive Pole is a “major institute of sustainable mobility devoted to developing a carbon-free vehicle”, its key project. This pole is now part of the Grand Paris Plan, which President Sarkozy officially announced on 29 April 2009.