23rd March 1999

CITROËN DISPLAYS THE IDEAL
VAN OF THE FUTURE FOR AUSTRALIA

French car maker, Citroën, has revealed the possible answer to Australian urban delivery and pollution problems, the Citroën Berlingo Dynavolt, which provides zero emissions around town with its electric engine, while using an LPG engine - cutting emissions by 15 per cent compared to petrol-power - on the open road.

The Berlingo Dynavolt is the latest version of Citroën's stylish urban delivery van aimed at cutting emissions. Already on sale in France are versions using dual fuel LPG and Petrol and an all-electric version. The Dynavolt takes the best of both of these versions and combines it with the Berlingo's class-leading three cubic metre load area, car-like comfort, handling and roadholding to produce a compact delivery vehicle ideal for Australian conditions.

Under the bonnet are two engines, firstly there is a 20 kW electric engine, along with all control systems and on-board charger for the batteries. Sitting along side it is a conventional combustion engine powered by LPG. The computer system that controls both the engines and the energy sources decides which power unit to use, depending on driving conditions. Around the city, where speeds are low and pollution - both air and noise - are critical, the Dynavolt is a pure electric vehicle, silent and clean.

But as speeds increase and the Dynavolt leaves the city, it seamlessly starts using its LPG engine, providing more performance, but still with emissions lower than any comparable petrol engine. The computer programme is designed to achieve maximum reduction in noise and air pollution, so even on the open road the Dynavolt is continuously searching to make its contribution to a cleaner, quieter environment. For example, if the driver lifts his foot off the accelerator at highway speeds to slow down, the LPG engine turns off and the electric motor starts working in reverse, generating electricity for the batteries, saving the brakes and reducing emissions and noise.

What makes the Berlingo Dynavolt very clever is that this technology and twin engines have no impact on the normal Berlingo's ability to do its job. There is no impact on the exceptionally spacious three cubic metre load space and the front compartment for the driver and passenger retains its spacious and quality atmosphere. Even the Berlingo Dynavolt's handling, roadholding and ride comfort retain Citroën's renowned standards.

The Dynavolt also answers the chief fears of electric car ownership, the fear of running out of power. Despite the fact that half of people using their cars in cities drive less than five km daily and 80 per cent drive less than 50 km per day, the ability of all-electric cars to cover little more than 80 km on charge puts many potential customers off electric cars.

The Dynavolt answers this problem and adds an extra dimension for Australia. In addition offering a range of up to 260 km and quick LPG refueling, the fact that the Dynavolt uses LPG, a fuel that is plentiful in Australia, and that it can use this to recharge its batteries rather than coal-generated Australian electricity, makes it an even more suitable delivery vehicle for Australia.

1 Electric motor and transmission 2 Nicad batteries 3 LPG Motor, engine starter/generator 4 Electric motor computer system 5 LPG engine computer system 6 Power source control and selection system 7 LPG heat exchanger 8 LPG storage

For further information please
e-Mail Miles Williams - General Manager on
100250.3324@compuserve.com

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23/3/99

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