Ford’s Volvo and GM’s SAAB together performing advanced Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle design work in Europe.
Wayne Gerdes -
CleanMPG - Mar. 14, 2008
Volvo C30 Recharge Concept – 60 miles AER on Li-Ion and 4 electric wheel motors plus a 1.6L turbo-diesel range extender.
Together with electricity provider Vattenfall, automobile manufacturer Saab, Swedish battery maker ETC and Sweden itself, Volvo is launching a joint broad-based research venture to develop spearhead technology in the area of PHEVs. Sweden will be the locale for the in-field PHEV testing.
"I see this project as a positive further development of sustainable personal transport. We have a unique opportunity to take the lead when it comes to innovations for advanced green-car technology", says Fredrik Arp, President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation.
The aim of the project is to develop and demonstrate the next-generation Plug-in hybrid cars. A fleet of 10 PHEV’s will be produced that can be recharged directly from the wall outlet.
Over the next five years, Volvo will invest over $1.8 Billion USD in development aimed at reducing both fuel consumption and emissions. Volvo already offers its customers one of the industry's widest ranges of Flexfuel engines. In parallel the company is continuing to enhance the efficiency of its petrol- and diesel-powered offerings. 2008 will see the launch of car models that release less than 120 grams of CO2/km.
Volvo is also focusing intensively on hybrid technology. Over the medium term, the company will introduce hybrid variants where an electric motor assists the combustion engine. In the longer term, PHEV’s will be introduced. One example of this was presented in autumn 2007 with the Volvo C30 ReCharge Concept. This concept car cuts emissions of CO2 by about 65% compared with hybrid vehicles available on the market today. If the electricity comes from CO2-sustainable sources such as hydro and wind, that figure improves still further.
"Within the next decade, we will see more electric vehicles on our roads," said Fredrik Arp.
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