Government to evaluate “pure power” Peugeot

February 14, 2006

Government to evaluate “pure power” Peugeot

The government’s decision to ‘walk the talk’ on its vehicle fleet strategy has been applauded by Peugeot New Zealand.

Peugeot’s diesel-powered 607 HDi 2.2 is one of two cars selected for evaluation as part of the government’s development of a New Zealand vehicle efficiency strategy.

The policy has been launched to help reduce transport CO2 emissions and is being led by the Ministry for the Environment.

Called Govt3, the programme is designed to encourage government agencies to demonstrate leadership in improving the sustainability in their activities including transport.

Using workplace travel plans and improved fleet purchase and management practices, the Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry of Transport are working to achieve reductions in both fuel consumption and gas emissions.

Peugeot New Zealand managing director Steve Kenchington says currently all new Peugeot passenger vehicles meet or exceed the proposed government biofuel capability levels.

“The 2.2 litre 607 uses some of the world’s most advanced diesel engine technologies.

“Diesel has for many years been a popular fuel choice in Europe – about half the cars there run on diesel – and Peugeot is acknowledged as a leader in advanced passenger vehicle diesel engine design.

“With new, cleaner diesel now available in New Zealand and Peugeot’s revolutionary particle filter technology, the 607 comfortably meets the standard of the strict Euro IV emissions legislation.”

The particle filter technology (FAP) system fitted to new Peugeot HDi diesel engines ensures the exhaust gases are the cleanest possible with harmful exhaust particles reduced below measurable levels, Mr Kenchington says.

The filter traps particles and then periodically cleans itself using engine management to raise the exhaust temperature which burns away the particles.

Mr Kenchington says there is absolutely no compromise on engine performance or economy and the Peugeot 607 provides understated luxury motoring at an affordable price.

“HDi-equipped Peugeots cost less to fill, use less fuel, produce fewer emissions and have as much or more power than a petrol-driven equivalent,” he says. “It really is pure power.”

CO2 emissions from the Peugeot 607 HDi are 170g/km while the car uses only 6.4 litres of fuel every 100 kms.

The government evaluation of the vehicles is expected to take some months.

Notes: Peugeot New Zealand promotes the uptake of biofuels in New Zealand in conjunction with Automobiles Peugeot, which has more than 10 years’ experience pioneering biofuel technology. The use of renewable energy resources contributes to sustainable energy systems for New Zealand’s future generations.

The use of biofuels can help reduce the reliance on fossil fuel imports while utilising New Zealand’s own resources to produce biofuels. For example, domestic tallow, a by-product of the meat industry, can be used to produce biodiesel. And whey, a by-product from the dairy industry, can be turned into bioethanol for blending with petrol.

Biofuels also have climate change benefits because, when biofuels displace petrol and diesel, our net carbon dioxide emissions are reduced. Other harmful emissions are also displaced, with positive impacts on air quality and human health.

In Europe for example, captive and in-house Peugeot fleets are currently running a mixture of B30 fuel (30 per cent biofuel-diesel blend), with B5 (five per cent biofuel-diesel blend) readily available at the pump for all motorists, and is common enough that it does not require labelling at the pump.

The current Peugeot petrol range of vehicles can successfully operate on a mixture of E10 fuel (10 per cent ethanol-petrol blend) with no detrimental effects.

ENDS

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