EDF and PSA Peugeot Citroën Partner to Support Development of Electric Vehicles and Plug-In Hybrids

PARIS – October 15, 2008: EDF and PSA Peugeot Citroën have formed a partnership to support the development and future marketing of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. The cooperative agreement covers several technological programmes, including: The definition of business models capable of driving the commercial development of electric vehicles. New energy storage technologies, such as lithium-ion batteries. Vehicle recharging systems and protocols to enable vehicles and the network to communicate during recharging, as well as the standardisation of these systems and protocols.

An EV pioneer, with more than 10,000 units on the road between 1955 and 2005, PSA Peugeot Citroën is now giving new impetus to electric vehicle research. In June, the Group announced that it was starting a feasibility study on a cooperative project with Mitsubishi Motors Corp. in the area of electric powertrains.

The development of plug-in and other hybrids is an integral part of PSA Peugeot Citroën’s strategic commitment to offering “everyone an eco-car.” For example, the Group is going to extensively deploy the Stop & Start micro hybrid system across all of the Peugeot and Citroën model line-ups, while in 2011, both brands will offer full diesel hybrids that will deliver radical improvements in both fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions. These developments will enable PSA Peugeot Citroën to consolidate its environmental leadership.

For more than 50 years, EDF has demonstrated its commitment to sustainable development by supporting the development of electric transportation systems and plug-in hybrids. With the world’s largest EV fleet (1,500 vehicles), EDF has acquired extensive technological expertise and experience in power storage, recharging infrastructure and plug-in vehicle trials. It is currently developing a new generation of innovative recharging stations.

Christian Streiff, Chairman of the PSA Peugeot Citroën Group, said: “PSA Peugeot Citroën’s environmental leadership reflects a long-standing commitment, which is expressed in an exceptionally diverse model line-up and powerful innovations. With this new collaborative venture, the Versatile Electric Vehicle will further broaden our offering.”

“This new collaboration,” added Pierre Gadonneix, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EDF, “marks an important new step in the development of electricity as a competitive, clean source of energy, especially for transportation, that respects both the challenges facing our planet and everyone’s individual mobility needs. Helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is a core principle guiding our commitments and investment decisions, and today, the EDF Group’s CO2 emissions rank among the lowest of any energy provider.”