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Vehicles that are safer and more
environmentally friendly
 PSA Peugeot Citroën, the leading manufacturer of low CO² emission vehicles, continues the drive to make further progress in this field with its latest developments. The carmaker has again demonstrated its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions with the development of new technologies that reduce both fuel consumption and emissions.
Another top priority is the safety of motorists and other road users. The Group invests almost 10% of its automobile division's R&D budget in road safety.
A leader in low CO² emission cars
 As a leading volume manufacturer, PSA Peugeot Citroën is committed to taking pioneering initiatives to reduce emissions of CO² and other pollutants across its entire range.
Research focuses closely on engine technology and hybrid techniques.
PSA Peugeot Citroën designs diesel and petrol engines featuring the very latest technologies that combine driveability with reduced fuel consumption and pollutant emissions. The Group has underscored its leadership in diesel technology with the success of its direct injection HDi engines - more than 10 million powerplants have already been produced - that significantly reduce CO² and pollutant emissions.
"Stop & Start" and hybrid HDi diesel vehicles: some of the group's Citroën models are fitted with the "Stop & Start" system, which switches the engine to standby mode when the vehicle is at a standstill and then restarts it automatically. Fuel consumption can be reduced by as much as 15% in city driving. The Group plans to make this technology a standard feature by 2011, equipping more than one million Peugeot and Citroën vehicles Europe with "Stop & Start".
A leader in particulate filter technology
PSA Peugeot Citroën leads the field in particulate filter technology, which the Group first launched in 2000. When fitted on the HDi diesel engine, these filters eliminate diesel particles and reduce them to barely measurable levels. They make an active contribution to improving air quality in urban environments. Since the technology was launched in May 2000, the Group has sold more than 2.2 million vehicles fitted with particulate filters in Europe.
 Development of the HDi hybrid
The Group plans to progress even further with its HDi diesel hybrids. These vehicles represent a significant step forwards in both technical and environmental terms. They reduce fuel consumption and CO² emissions by almost 30% in comparison with an equivalent diesel vehicle.
The Group plans to reveal its first HDi hybrids by 2010.
Long-term innovation: fuel cells
 Looking further ahead to 2020, fuel cells are set to play a crucial role in the future of the automobile and the control of emissions of all kinds. In addition to reducing CO² emissions, fuel cell technology also eliminates emissions of local pollutants (HC, NOx, etc.) and drastically reduces noise levels. PSA Peugeot Citroën's specialists are working with a network of experts from public research organisations, such as the CNRS and the CEA, on various cells and prototypes. In 2006, this research saw the presentation of the first French fuel cell, developed jointly with the CEA (atomic power authority). GENEPAC (GENérateur Electrique à Pile A Combustible) is a modular fuel cell generating 80 kW that is one of the best of its kind in the world and is ideally suited to automotive applications.
Safety: a top priority
 PSA Peugeot Citroën is pursuing its research into preventing accidents (primary safety) and reducing their consequences (secondary safety).
Many of the Group's innovations are designed to protect vehicle occupants and other road users. The 13 Peugeot and Citroën vehicles that have scored a maximum 5-star rating in EuroNCAP*tests for the protection of vehicle occupants illustrate the Group's efforts in this area. The C6 is the only car tested by EuroNCAP to have received the top score of four stars for pedestrian protection, thanks to its active bonnet system.
With its emergency call system, PSA Peugeot Citroën also leads the field in Europe in tertiary safety. In the event of an accident, the system automatically calls the emergency services. More than 450,000 Peugeot and Citroën cars on the roads of nine European countries are fitted with the emergency call system.
For more information on PSA Peugeot Citroën's actions and developments to protect the environment and improve road safety, visit our Sustainable Development website
*EuroNCAP: an independent European organisation made up of government bodies, NGOs and consumer associations that assesses the protection of occupants of new vehicles in a series of impact tests. Results are published using a star-based scoring system.
13 Peugeot and Citroën cars have scored the maximum five stars:
Peugeot 207 and 207 CC, 1007, Coupe 407, 407, 807, 308 and Citroën C4, C5, C6, C8, Grand C4 Picasso, and New C5 Saloon.
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