Volvo announces plans for plug-in hybrid
Plug-in hybrids can be emissions neutral if renewable sources are used
Author: Robin Brown
Published: 17 March 2008
Volvo has announced plans to cooperate on a plug-in hybrid vehicle capable of zero emissions.
Together with electricity provider Vattenfall, Saab Automobile, ETC and the Swedish state, Volvo will develop a fleet of ten plug-in hybrids that can be recharged from a wall socket. Initially the models will be powered by a petrol engine in tandem with an electric motor, with full plug-in electric vehicles introduced later.
The Volvo C30 ReCharge Concept reduced emissions by 65 per cent compared to current hybrid on the market, claims Volvo, and is capable of improving that figure further if electricity is sourced from renewable sources.
Volvo will invest almost £1bn over the next five years in developing technology to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
Volvo has a range of flex-fuel engines that can run on biofuels, and will continue to develop cleaner petrol and diesel technology. In 2008 the Swedish manufacturer will release models that emit under 120g/km of carbon dioxide.
“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.
“We want to be involved in setting up the rules for the future and to help build up broad-based competence in Sweden in this vital area.'
“Within the next decade, electric vehicles are going to be needed if we are to meet forthcoming CO2 legislation,” concluded Fredrik Arp.
Tesla Motors has announced that it will launch an all-electric saloon by 2010
New Subaru Stella electric prototype vehicle fuses thinking behind R1e concept with current five-door Stella city car as it puts future finger on urban electric car pulse. Starting at the G8 Summit in Japan.
The Metropolitan Police will trial four models of the fully-electric, smart electric drive in a bid to cut crime while cutting emissions
Volkswagen has unveiled an all-electric concept version of its Golf hatchback which uses a small combustion engine to charge a battery.
65% of sample car buyers questioned would find extra 30% cash for zero emission, eco-gaining car, but not at expense of performance and functionality loss.
advertisement
2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed is the best excuse yet to see new Nissan GT-R, Ariel Atom 500 V8, Mazda Furai, Tesla Roadster and Toyota Aygo up close in UK, fortnight before British Motor Show. | 04/07/2008
Top Gear presenters James May and Richard Hammond will be out of contract by the end of July - following the end of the current series - after refusing new contracts. | 04/07/2008
Toyota head for British Motor Show with convoy that includes all-new iQ city car, Urban Cruiser mini-SUV RAV4 descendant, earnest Hilux Invincible 200 pick-up and steroid-munching Aygo Crazy supermini. | 04/07/2008
All-new Nissan Qashqai+2 and revamped Murano SUV Crossovers, Denki Cube electric box car, celebratory Micra 25 supermini genre-setter and jaw-droppingly urgent GT-R supercar line up at British Motor Show. | 04/07/2008
New Lexus LF-A Concept supercar takes centre stage at British Motor Show, surrounded by Lexus IS F super saloon brother in arms, as hybrid-evolved performers GS 450h, RX 400h and LS 600h pipe up too. | 04/07/2008
|02/07/2008
British Grand Prix set to be gate-crashed by Dark Knight Batmobile and Bat-Pod, as Silverstone braces itself for a Hollywood style shoot-out between Toyota TF108 and Batmobile. Whoaa!
|02/07/2008
New Range Rover variants aimed very much at new money - a new exclusive Overfinch collection from £60K.
|02/07/2008
New 2009 Range Rover Autobiography luxury 4X4 flagship model will break cover at British International Motor Show, and take its place as the heir apparent to crown the new line up.
|02/07/2008
£305k Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe handed over to Pininfarina by wealthy – yet unnamed – car buyer, to pimp in a decidedly 1930s styley.
|02/07/2008
SEAT will debut the new SportCoupé at the British International Motor Show (BIMS) in July and goes on sale 16 July.
|20/11/2007
Around 400 people a day risk damaging their car by misfuelling, and filling up with gas is a mistake that could cost thousands. So what do you do if you´ve filled up your diesel car with unleaded petrol?
|06/12/2007
Fuel protests similar to those that brought the UK to a halt in 2000 are being planned by a breakaway group of disaffected hauliers, according to press reports.
|28/03/2008
Volkswagen has been forced to issue a statement on the Polo singing dog advert after complaints that the dog was mistreated. VW says the animal was not harmed.
|16/10/2007
Top Gear in hot water again over smoking ban breach after Clarkson and May spark up Porsche ´911´ pipes.
|10/01/2008
The People´s car, the one-Lakh car, the cheapest car in the world, an environmental disaster or a seismic shift in the industry. Call it what you will, its manufacturer calls it the Tata Nano, and it costs less than £1,300.
Search Motortorque:
No readers comments
Be the first to write a comment on this article