Hybrid & Mild-Hybrid Cars: The Future of Fuel Efficiency in Argentina
Turin, Italy – Stellantis is doubling down on internal combustion engine (ICE) technology, albeit in a significantly altered form, as the automotive industry navigates a shifting landscape of electric vehicle (EV) adoption and consumer demand. Although the European Union maintains its 2035 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, automakers are increasingly focused on hybrid solutions and innovative engine technologies to bridge the gap.
The shift comes after an initial surge in EV development faced challenges related to production scaling and cost. The promise of affordable EVs has been hampered by supply chain issues and the high cost of battery technology, leading to a slowdown in the anticipated growth of purely electric vehicles. This has prompted manufacturers to re-evaluate strategies and explore alternatives that offer both sustainability and practicality.
Stellantis, the parent company of Fiat, Citroën, and Alfa Romeo, is pursuing two primary approaches. One involves utilizing ICEs as generators to charge batteries in range-extended electric vehicles (EREVs), a strategy pioneered by Nissan with its e-Power system. The other, and more recent development, focuses on advanced “Mild-Hybrid” systems that leverage a small electric motor integrated directly with the transmission to provide electric assistance and improve fuel efficiency.
Nissan’s e-Power technology, introduced several years ago, uses a gasoline engine solely to generate electricity, which then powers an electric motor that drives the wheels. While innovative, its impact in markets like Argentina has been limited by import restrictions and pricing challenges. However, the concept has gained traction with other manufacturers, including BYD and Leapmotor, who are introducing EREV models to the Argentinian market.
Stellantis’s new Mild-Hybrid system represents a distinct approach. By positioning the electric motor directly on the transmission, even a relatively small electric motor (24 CV) can effectively assist in propulsion, allowing for short distances of fully electric driving. The Fiat 600 Hybrid and the recently launched Citroën C4 Hybrid are the first models to feature this technology. These vehicles can reportedly travel up to 1,000 meters on electric power alone at speeds under 30 km/h, and even up to 500 meters at higher speeds with careful acceleration.
Preliminary data suggests these Mild-Hybrid systems can achieve fuel economy figures of 4.5 liters per 100 km for the Fiat 600 Hybrid and 5.5 liters per 100 km for the Citroën C4 Hybrid. This translates to a potential range exceeding 700 km for the Fiat 600 and over 800 km for the Citroën C4, based on their respective fuel tank capacities.
The arrival of the Fiat 600 Hybrid and Citroën C4 Hybrid in Argentina is facilitated by a government program allowing for the annual import of 50,000 hybrid and electric vehicles without incurring a 35% extra-zone tariff. The Alfa Romeo Tonale, imported independently, was an earlier adopter of this technology in the Argentinian market.
While the long-term impact of these technologies remains to be seen, Stellantis’s strategy reflects a pragmatic response to the evolving automotive landscape, offering consumers a blend of efficiency, affordability, and practicality as the industry transitions towards a more sustainable future.