Volvo C30 BEV (2011) [Reviews]

Volvo presented a prototype electric car ready in September 2009. Volvo C30 BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), which is now exhibited at the Salon of 2010 North American International Auto in Detroit he took a new step in the development process. It is equipped with an interior that is both complete and full instrumentation, and battery conditioning improved.

"The first prototype has allowed us to identify the main technological challenges, such as packaging of the battery and safety issues. We solved these problems without compromising the Volvo C30 is cool and fun to drive personality. I am very pleased with the outcome. Electricity Volvo C30 BEV in Detroit is a much more complete product, "explains Lennart Stegland, director of Volvo Cars Special Vehicles.

The next step in 2010 is a series of factory-built test cars. Selected users will run the test fleet for a trial period of two years to provide Volvo Cars with valuable experience. Not only technically but also in behavior.

The Swedish Energy Agency supports the project by contributing SEK 150 million towards its funding.

Valuable data on the field

A pure electric car has different characteristics compared to a car with a combustion engine. Now experts from Volvo will be able to study how users respond to these differences.

"Our data on the test fleet will be of great value for Volvo Cars of developing electric cars. It will also provide crucial information for planning of infrastructure and help define the services needed to make rechargeable cars can choose the most attractive in the future, "says Lennart Stegland.

New tools and graphics

E-C30, Volvo C30 looks like a normal, and offers exactly the same safety, comfort and capacity than other models. The most obvious difference inside the car are new tools in front of the driver. Monitor and the graphics are a little 'different from a traditional Volvo. A cool and easy to use screens of the instrument, in principle, only the speed and power consumption. But there are also a number of new symbols, such as the battery meter and other relevant information of this type of vehicle.

Driving experience is also a different class than a conventional car. Electric Volvo C30 BEV does not have the speed and the engine power is delivered smoothly, with full power available immediately. "Sailing along almost without sound is a very special experience. The power is there immediately. We need to spend a lot of time to evaluate the transmission system, which is both comfortable and safe for the driver to manage and use the same capacity battery optimally at different speeds ", says Lennart Stegland.

Adjust C30 - all the fun, but without the emissions

The electric motor uses about one fourth as much energy as the engine of fossil fuels. This great interest in the energy efficiency of electric vehicles increases in fuel prices and requirements for low CO2 emissions of more stringent.

Volvo C30 shown in Detroit powered by a lithium-ion battery, which can be downloaded via a standard household outlet, or along the road special charging stations. Charge the battery fully takes about eight hours. If the car is recharged with renewable electricity, CO2 emissions could be almost zero well-to-wheel perspective.

Top speed with a fully charged battery is about 130 km / h (81 mph). Acceleration from 0 to 60 km / h in under 11 seconds. Range of the car is 150 km (94 miles). This covers the needs of commuting more than 90 percent of all motorists in Europe.

Like all other Volvos

The electric motor is installed under the hood when the batteries (24 kWh) is mounted on the drive shaft tunnel and the space normally occupied by the fuel tank, and from outside the passenger compartment deformation zones.

"Moreover, they are well encapsulated and the structure around them has been strengthened. Electric vehicles are another interesting challenge in our commitment to building the safest cars in the world. An electric-powered Volvo should be as safe as any other new Volvo. These same standards also apply to the ownership, operation and protection in an accident, "says Thomas Broberg, Senior Safety Advisor, Volvo Cars.

Market Outlook for Electricity

When it comes to the only power cars, there are several factors that determine their use in the future. "Consumers must feel that this type of car is attractive both to drive and own. That's why electric cars should be as comfortable and safe and offer the same kind of results that cars with alternative energy sources, "says Paul Gustavsson, director of the electrification strategy at Volvo Cars, we believe in this technology, and our field test to demonstrate that electric cars have a significant market potential. "However, by offering a car is not attractive enough. It is also necessary in the first place is a system of grants to do. Electric car battery technology is affordable to expensive car buyers, we hope that the authorities and the rest of the Volvo Cars will follow in our "Drive to Zero". - Volvo Cars journey to zero emissions "

Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid (2013) [Reviews]

The 2011 Geneva Motor Show, Volvo Cars is unveiling the Volvo V60 plug-in hybrid - almost ready for emissions of carbon dioxide production of the car less than 50 g / km. The plug-in hybrid, which will be launched in 2012, is the result of close cooperation between Volvo and the Swedish energy company Vattenfall.

"No one sector or organization can tackle the climate challenge alone. Our mission is to develop a carbon-lean car, but a sustainable future must be created with the whole society. This project shows how collaboration between experts in different sectors, we bring you closer to the transition from individual thin carbon products are time-smart lifestyle, "said Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO of Volvo Cars.

In January 2007, Volvo Cars and Vattenfall has launched an industry association, whose objective was to test and develop the technology for plug-in. The cross border initiative led to the creation of a jointly owned company - Association V2 plug-in hybrid vehicles

Half of all CO2 emissions, driving pleasure Full

Development work was jointly funded. Now the project is about to introduce the plug-in market first diesel hybrid. This is an attractive type of car that gives the user access to the best properties of both an electric car and a vehicle diesel fuel consumption and low CO2 levels, combined with a long range and high performance .

". An important aspect of the project was to keep Volvo V60 driving pleasure exceptionally high standard of safety and comfort luxury Simultaneously, the average CO2 emissions and fuel consumption will be reduced by half compared to what is available on the market TODAY "Today," said Stefan Jacoby, adding:

"We take a giant step closer to" Go Zero "vision, ie the search for zero emissions. In fact, the Volvo V60 plug-in hybrid is run solely on electricity and recharged using renewable energy sources, we have already achieved this. "

Fuel costs less

When powered solely by electricity, the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid has a range of up to 50 km. The range of cars that operate a total of 1200 km. Emissions of carbon dioxide will be an average of 49 grams per km (European combined cycle) and fuel consumption of 1.9 liters per 100 km.

The cost of the battery means that the plug-in hybrid will be more expensive to buy a Volvo V60 with a conventional combustion engine. In addition, fuel costs will be one third compared to a conventional combustion engine. The operating cost of electricity in Sweden is estimated at about $ 2.50 for every 10 km. The exact price varies from one market to another.

The hybrid plug-in can be downloaded from the power of common household electricity while parked at home or somewhere else. The charging time is about five hours, if the car is loaded at home.

The electricity has many advantages

Electrification of the transport sector is an important step in combating climate change. Electricity is a very beneficial fuel:

An electric motor is almost four times more efficient than the normal combustion engine. This means that an electric car consumes less energy and therefore produce fewer emissions, despite being fed a mixture of sources, including electricity from fossil fuels.

European electricity production emissions. This means that even if all vehicles were electric, electricity production in itself does not produce carbon dioxide. This output is gradually lowered over time.

Electricity is an excellent source of energy. Not to be missed, and can be produced with virtually no CO2 emissions. For example, Vattenfall is working to reduce emissions to half of the company in 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2050.

Emissions from exhaust million is transferred to a small number of plants that are easier to control and operate on the basis of the exchange of EU emissions, something that does not apply to transport today.

Electric cars use relatively little power and increased consumption will more than offset by the ambitious expansion plans for renewable energy throughout Europe. Wind power a simple example, produces enough renewable energy to power 3,000 electric vehicles. Vattenfall will offer buyers of plug-in hybrid is a contract, including electricity from renewable sources.

The rapid expansion of renewable electricity generation

Electricity production is growing rapidly. Wind energy is widely marketed and continues to grow, biofuel will replace fossil fuels on a broad front, wave energy is expected to enter commercial service within ten years, and new technologies to capture emissions of CO2 from coal power plants are currently under development.

Volvo, the work progresses, the Volvo V60 plug-in hybrid in parallel with the development of the Volvo C30 Electric, which runs entirely on electricity.

"These two types of cars are complementary. Plug-in hybrid vehicle driver is completely independent of the load points when driving long distances. The future of electric-car market, both with an all-electric cars and plug-in hybrids," said Stefan Jacoby.

The third stage of the electrification strategy of Volvo Cars is the empowerment of new-generation engine with hybrid technology.

Volvo S60 R-Design (2011) -Reviwes

Introducing the all-new Volvo S60 and V60 R-Design - Designed with a true sports car feel and offers a chassis designed to ensure that the driving experience match the look of the car.

"The new S60 and V60 models are our most athletes ever. With R-Design, which is even clearer. They are the natural choice for real connoisseurs," says Magnus Jonsson, Senior Vice President of Product Development at Volvo Cars.

Sports, athletic, sporty - to keep the superlatives in Volvo Cars audit took a holistic view of all-new Volvo S60 and V60 R-design, design and chassis are developed simultaneously in a unique and consistent.

"These vehicles are specially designed for buyers who want to put their own stamp on your car. And with the R-Design, which attract a younger target audience. It is expected that 10 percent of all S60 and V60 to customers to choose the R-Design option in markets where it is available. Our goal is to win more than one third of these customers competing brands, "says Magnus Jonsson.

Volvo chassis specialists have taken a step forward for more exciting driving experience. "R-Design chassis, we have refined the steering, agility and a strong general feeling even more dynamic than at the beginning of the new S60 and V60," says Stefan Sällqvist, head of Volvo's Vehicle Dynamics.

Introducing the new Volvo S60 and V60 R-Design - designed with a sense of true sports car with a chassis designed to ensure that the driving experience is the look of the car.

"The new S60 and V60 models are our most athletes ever. With R-Design, which is even clearer. They are the natural choice for real connoisseurs," says Magnus Jonsson, Senior Vice President of Product Development at Volvo Cars.

Athletic, sportier, more casual - to control the superlatives, Volvo Cars has had a holistic view of the new Volvo S60 and V60 R-Design, a design and the platform being developed in parallel in a single quote.

"These vehicles are specially designed for buyers who want to put their own stamp on your car. And with the R-Design, which attract a younger target audience. It is expected that 10 percent of all S60 and V60 to customers to choose the R-Design option in markets where it is available. Our goal is to win more than one third of these customers competing brands, "says Magnus Jonsson.

Experts from the chassis of Volvo Cars has taken the next step on the road driving experience more exciting. "Under the R-Design, we have strengthened the leadership, agility and overall more solid feel compared to the dynamics of the chassis of the new S60 and V60," says Stefan Sällqvist, director of the dynamics of vehicles Volvo Cars.

Wide range of engines, the new petrol and diesel

R-Design can be combined with a series of gasoline engines and diesel DRIVe version produces 115 horsepower and an economic version of the powerful 304 hp turbo. All engines are designed to meet the high expectations of driving pleasure, combined with competitive fuel consumption.