Taiwan Carmaker Scheduled to Sell Mini HEV in 2008

Taiwan's carmaker Formosa Automobile Corp. (FAC) recently applied to the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) for subsidization from the Science and Technology Development Project to develop homegrown hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).

FAC is an auto-production subsidiary of the Formosa Plastic Group, the largest petrochemical conglomerate on the island.

FAC plans to utilize HEV technology developed by Taiwan' s Mechanical Industry Research Laboratories (MIRL) of the Industrial Technology Research Institute, as well as key subsystems and parts developed by local motor, motor control, and automotive engine makers. The ultimate goal for FAC and MIRL is to jointly develop a 900cc hybrid propulsion system for a FAC mini HEV model to be introduced in 2008.

According to Hsu Chi-tang, deputy director of the intelligent mobility technology division of MIRL, many international automakers-such as Toyota, Honda, and Ford-have developed large-displacement HEV engines. To avoid competing with those big rivals, Hsu adds, FAC decided to develop the smaller 900cc HEV car model.

According to industry sources familiar with the project, FAC will first work with motor makers Teco Electric & Machinery Co., Ltd. And Ye Li Electric & Machinery Co., Ltd.; motor controller makers Rhymebus Corp. and Echo Power System Co., Ltd.; and engine maker Advance Power Investment Co., Ltd. To evaluate the feasibility of locally producing the 900cc HEV power system. In the second stage, they add, FAC will invite more local automotive parts and systems manufacturers to join the HEV project. The total investment amount is expected to top several billion New Taiwan dollars.

Hsu pointed out that MIRL developed the first hybrid car in Taiwan last year by utilizing the Smart mini car as platform and fitting it with a 375cc HEV power system. FAC also tried to install the 375cc HEV propulsion system in its locally produced Matiz model but found that the car could not reach a top speed of 100 km/h. Therefore, FAC decided to commission MIRL to develop a new HEV engine with a 900cc displacement, three cylinders, and a power output of 40 kilowatts.

FAC expects that its new mini HEV Matiz will have an urban-driving fuel efficiency of 20 kilometers per liter, using about 40% less fuel than a 1.0L gasoline engine. Tailpipe emissions will be only half of the level allowed by Taiwan' s pollution regulations.

Taiwan' s Environmental Protection Administration (EPA), which operates under the Executive Yuan (Cabinet), recently commissioned MIRL to conduct road tests of currently available HEVs in major cities in northern Taiwan.

The EPA claims it is evaluating the emissions and noise of HEVs and plans to map out a subsidization strategy to encourage their adoption, and may also encourage Taiwan' s government to use the cars.

Because HEV development is just in the initial stage, a senior staff member at the EPA says, HEV prices are often about twice those of gasoline-engine counterparts in the same class. He stresses that, in order to avoid upsetting the auto market, the EPA does not have plans to directly subsidize HEVs.