Chinese automobile manufacturer Changan Auto will supply a number of hybrid-drive cars as taxis for the athletes and spectators of the Olympic Games at Beijing in August. The power electronics for the "mild hybrid" drive will be supplied by Infineon Technologies AG, Europe's second-largest maker of semiconductors.

The hybrid drive design is a result of China's 'National 863' R&D programme which aims to enhance technologies in key areas including space flight, energy and transportation. The 'mild hybrid' concept provides for an integrated starter generator which generates energy when the car brakes.

This energy is stored in a battery and can be used to provide additional horsepower for overtaking or to move off the vehicle. A critical part in this concept is the energy storage; industry R&D efforts currently are focusing on Lithium Ion batteries.

The electronic equipment supplied by Infineon comprises its "HybridPack 1" power module, which controls all power generating, storing and drive functions for the starter generator. It can handle electric power of up to 20kW, using with IGBTs as the central semiconductor component.

The "Jiexun" hybrid-driven vehicles supplied by Changan Auto will reach a maximum speed of 160km/hr at about 20 per cent lower petrol consumption compared to conventional cars.