This year's conference "Engine & Environment" addressed the question, "The Hybrid: Full, Mild, Micro - Which System will Win the Race?". Approximately 340 high-ranking specialists from 17 countries came to Graz and enjoyed an absorbing conference with contributions from the automotive industry, academia and the political world.
That the hybrid powertrain has a future was not disputed during this 19th AVL conference. While hybrid vehicles are currently offered mainly by Japanese manufacturers, the whole automotive industry is working intensively on the development of production solutions. The statement made by the European Commission representative Dr. Günter Hörmandinger, " We can't stop at 130 gram CO2 " and his prediction that a move in the direction of 80 to 95 g/km CO2 will be inevitable by year 2020 proved thought-provoking. To achieve this goal, the hybrid powertrain in its various forms, as full hybrid with a gasoline or diesel engine, as mild, micro or plug-in hybrid will (have to) make a significant contribution. However, fuel consumption and CO2 weren't the only topics of major interest, beneficial hybrid characteristics such as improved driving dynamics were also discussed in detail. From all contributions it was clear that battery technology is the key to future development.
Conference chairman Dr. Robert Fischer: "The OEMs will introduce a variety of hybrid powertrain technologies into the market, but the most common will be the mild hybrid".
A lot of interest was shown in the hybrid vehicles exhibited during the conference and many took advantage of the possibility to test-drive a Lexus LS 600 hybrid limousine.
Looking forward: Next year's conference will be the 20th "Engine and Environment". The title of this anniversary conference on 11th and 12th September will be "120g CO2/km - What About Driving Fun and Costs?".