The earth’s energy demand is constantly increasing. Separating the economic development from the energy demand does not seem possible. At the same time, the effort to exploit useful energy sources, especially fossil fuels and renewable sources, is growing. As a result, the price basis of a certain energy source is not solely determined by its quantity, but also by the effort required to produce and distribute it. This leads to certain basic guidelines:
- The increase in energy efficiency of all processes is in fact the most economically feasible energy source.
- A diversification of energy sources minimises risk and political dependency.
- Only a rapid decoupling of the economic development from fossil fuels ensures social advancement.
Therefore, not only political legislation, but also economic necessity are forcing the development of more efficient systems and the use of renewable energy sources.
Particularly in the transport sector this transition requires an enormous effort and partially a change in mindset regarding the use of different modes of transportation. Car owners that nowadays cover 80 % of their travelling using their own vehicles will in future be part of a more complex mobility network. This network will consist of several modes of transport, such as bicycles, small vehicles, cars, mass transportation systems and services, such as leasing or sharing, which will enable a more efficient transportation system as a whole, while at the same time reducing CO2 emissions and minimising local pollution and traffic noise.

Increasingly ambitious standards are being set worldwide to reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses and pollutants (NOx and particulates), with targets of 95 g of CO2 per km in Europe and 117 g per km in China by 2020. Full-Hybrid vehicles will be a necessary part of the equation to meet the 2020 CAFE targets. Hybrid Air is a new type of full-hybrid powertrain that combines a petrol engine and compressed air for energy storage instead of a battery, offering an alternative to electric hybrid solutions. Hybrid Air reinforces PSA Peugeot Citroën as a European leader in the CO2 emissions (122,5 g/km in 2002), with an affordable core model offering that delivers lower fuel consumption and ease of use. With the Hybrid Air PSA Peugeot Citroën took the opportunity to test a new method for managing innovation aligned with the needs of a high-stakes project and the ambition to deliver something rare, valuable and difficult to imitate. This new model includes seven key points that will be presented during the conference. With Hybrid Air PSA Peugeot Citroen has experienced an entrepreneurial innovation business model including the financial partnership with France’s Investments in the Future program.