Moves to optimize the CNG-fueled spark injection for the parallel hybrid powertrain can be traced back to the year 2006. During the latter part of the year, IVK, FKFS, Robert Bosch, and Opel were already collaborating on a natural gas hybrid vehicle project. The project was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology.

According to reports, for the past two years, efforts to downsize and downspeed were made to establish a lower CO2 emitting vehicle in the market. The researchers made it a point not to sacrifice the performance of the engines despite the lower levels of CO2 released. Instead, they worked on shifting the engine operations to higher loads which in turn also helped to make the machine’s brake specific functions more energy efficient.

By using a hybrid power train layout, possibilities for a turbocharged ICE became broader. Researchers state that this will enhance the efficiency of the whole range operation. The active waste gate control also contributes by improving the machines performance on all speeds. The basic underlying principle of the methods that were implemented is this: they minimized the pumping mean effective pressure (PMEP) to increase the engine’s fuel efficiency.