PSA Peugeot Citroen plans to launch hybrid cars partially powered by compressed air by 2016.
The company says the hybrid system developed with supplier Robert Bosch will be lighter than a hybrid system that uses gasoline and battery power.
A PSA spokesman told Automotive News Europe that PSA plans production models with the hybrid hydraulic system in its minicar and subcompacts. Both Peugeot and Citroen will introduce the technology in their cars simultaneously, he said.
General Motors likely will use the system as part of its alliance agreement with PSA, the spokesman said.
The hybrid system consists of two hydraulic units and two nitrogen storage tanks, which also are called pressure accumulators. The hydraulic units drive the powertrain using pressure from the nitrogen tanks.
The pressure in the nitrogen storage tanks increases when energy is transferred from the car's brakes and the combustion engine.
-- Bruce Gain
