Feijóo quiere que Citroën construya en Vigo las baterías del futuro coche eléctrico

El presidente de la Xunta, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, planteó al presidente del grupo PSA Peugeot Citroën, Philippe Varin, alternativas para que la factoría de Vigo pueda construir nuevos modelos de esta marca y que en esta ciudad se puedan llegar también a hacer las baterías del futuro coche eléctrico que desarrollan el grupo francés y su socio japonés Mitsubishi.

En declaraciones a los medios de comunicación tras reunirse con Philippe Varin, quien realizó su primera visita a la factoría viguesa desde que tomó posesión del cargo, Núñez Feijóo se mostró "satisfecho" porque pudo comprobar que el presidente del grupo PSA Peugeot Citroën "conoce bien la planta de Vigo".

Feijóo explicó que abordó con Varin la posibilidad de que "dentro de unos meses" la planta de Vigo pudiese albergar la construcción de "algún nuevo modelo de los futuros vehículos de PSA". En la actualidad, en esta factoría se construyen cinco modelo diferentes, que son el C4 Picasso de cinco plazas y un modelo de siete plazas C4 Grand Picasso; la Berlingo; la Partner; y el Xsara Picasso.

Además, el presidente gallego apostó por que "se lleve a buen puerto" la colaboración entre PSA y Mitsubishi para fabricar el coche eléctrico y que "se tenga muy en cuenta la candidatura de Vigo como lugar adecuado para hacer las baterías" de esta gama de automóviles, de forma que se pueda "arrancar una nueva línea de productos".

El consorcio automovilístico francés y el fabricante japonés trabajan de forma conjunta en el desarrollo y la producción de componentes para vehículos híbridos conectables a la red eléctrica, que tienen un menor consumo y unas emisiones de dióxido de carbono menores, y que cuentan con unas baterías voluminosas que pueden ser recargadas a través de un enchufe, lo que les diferencia de los híbridos tradicionales. Las dos compañías habían planteado el objetivo de lanzar al mercado europeo el nuevo coche eléctrico en 2010.

Además de que Vigo sea "candidata" a ambas propuestas de futuro, Feijóo también manifestó su deseo de que se empleen los 60 millones de euros que hay a disposición de la industria del automóvil. Asimismo, aseguró que en su reunión con Varin pudo comprobar que éste evaluó "muy positivamente" que la factoría de Vigo mantiene una "perfecta simbiosis" con las empresas auxiliares y el Gobierno gallego, cuestión que "no ocurre en otros lugares" donde el consorcio galo tiene plantas, apuntó.

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Mitsubishi and Peugeot will work together on electric cars

The two companies will share technology, particularly about next-gen lithium-ion batteries. Mitsubishi will offer PSA information on how best to convert electricity to drive power and how to prevent overheating in the batteries. The two companies may also form a joint venture to build EVs.

PSA Peugeot Citroen is already one of the largest global manufacturers of electric vehicles, and has expertise in the field of electric powertrains.

From the outside there is little to distinguish electric cars from gasoline or diesel powered ones. Propelled by a battery powered electric motor, these silent vehicles integrate perfectly into urban traffic and represent a relevant answer to the challenge of urban pollution.

Due to their easy adaptation to fleet use, local administrations and utility companies currently represent the main clients. Peugeot has sold over 10,000 units since 1995, and is the leader in private and utility electric vehicles, having supplied almost 65% of the cars in service around the world. The environmental benefit of the electric car is principally linked to its lack of localized emissions. Its CO2 emissions are directly related to the means of electrical production upstream.

Electric vehicles are also in use in other automobile usage programs PSA Peugeot Citroën has invested in like Liselec and Elcidis.

Liselec is a new concept in urban mobility for cities wishing to offer new dimensions in public transportation. The system, proposed by PSA Peugeot Citroën, relies on time sharing electric vehicles by subscribers 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The Greater La Rochelle community has placed 50 Peugeot 106 and Citroën Saxo electric vehicles at nerve centers around town (train station etc…). The availability of the vehicles is the main reason for the success of the program and the increase in the number of subscribers.

The Peugeot and Citroën electric vehicles are also used in the parallel ELCIDIS (Electric Vehicle City Distribution) aimed at establishing logistics platforms for merchandise delivery around cities. Many cities are already testing the systems thanks to Peugeot Partner and Citroën Berlingo vans. A whole new way of using automobiles is being progressively invented via electricity.

Peugeot 008, the French version of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV

This like the Japanese version will have a 64 hp electric motor driving the rear wheels, and some batteries Lithium-Ion Battery. Mechanics, and everything related to it will also be Mitsubishi , the only thing PSA will incorporate the design of each model, and a new interior.

The strategy of having this model in its range, will give PSA more time to develop its own hybrid and electric models.

The 1008 is a lean, strong and muscular car developed by David Veldkamp for Peugeot. The car has been made keeping Peugeot’s heritage in mind. The car, which can easily be transformed into a motorcycle by removing its roof and the side windows, runs on an electric powerhouse that makes it a silent, zero emission vehicle.

The 1008 has a compact design to minimize the resources required. The body has been made from ecofriendly materials like biodegradable foams and fabrics. The car has one big wheel running across the body frame and two small wheels at the rear end. When the car is being driven at slow speed, the rear wheel kicks into action, stabilizing the car, but if you are driving this beast on the open highway, the rear wheels retract and the big center wheel gives it all the speed and efficiency. On high speeds the gyro controls stabilize the car and prevent it from falling over. The car is proficient enough to reach a top speed of 100 mph and a range of 300 km.

The car makes the driver depend on gyro controls for safety at high speeds. If anything does go wrong in the gyro controls at 100 mph, the car would wobble and there would not be enough time left for the driver to regain control over it.

www.citroen.es/CWE/es-ES/