Eni, Fiat to Co-operate on Joint Research
Eni and the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) group have agreed to work together on joint research to lower carbon dioxide ( CO2) emissions from road vehicles.
The two CEOs, Eni’s Claudio Descalzi (right in Eni photo above) and FCA’s Sergio Marchionne (left), signed a memo of understanding in Rome in the presence of the prime minister Paolo Gentiloni (centre), November 21, identifying three fuels for vehicles – 'Absorbed Natural Gas' (ANG), compressed natural gas (CNG), and LNG – as areas for co-operation in technological and materials research.
Of the first, their statement said that materials to absorb natural gas will make it possible to improve existing technologies linked to CNG in the automotive sector, including materials permitting transportation of CNG at a much lower pressure, thus reducing the weight of tanks, and increasing the mileage per refill.
Eni also indicated that it will add Fiat Doblo vans to its ‘Enjoy fleet’ – a car sharing service created by Eni in partnership with FCA – and that this will constitute the world's first case of goods vehicle-sharing, with 20% of the new Fiat Doblo fleet to be powered by methane.
Marchionne said called FCA’s collaboration with Eni “a big step forward” representing a commitment by Italy’s two largest companies “to the world we want to leave to future generations." Both companies also committed themselves to Italy’s National Energy Strategy published in July.
Eni said it has done some work with Massachusetts Institute of Technology on technologies and devices for capture and temporary storage of some CO2 produced by internal combustion engines.