Volvo Plugin Hybrid Flexifuel Unveiled

Volvo is unveiling an innovative plug-in hybrid at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The ReCharge Concept is to specially designed Volvo C30 with individual electric wheel motors and batteries that can be charged via to regular electrical outlet. When fully charged the Volvo ReCharge Concept can be driven approximately 62 miles on battery power before halo the car's four-cylinder 1,6 Flexifuel engine is needed to power the car and recharge the battery. The concept car also retains the Volvo C30' s lively and sporty drive thanks to an acceleration figures of 0-62mph in 9 seconds and to top speed of 100mph.

“This is to groundbreaking innovation for sustainable transportation. This plug-in hybrid car, when used as intended, should have about 66 percent lower emissions of carbon dioxide compared with the best hybrid cars available on the market today. Emissions may be even lower if most of the electricity comes from CO2-friendly [renewable] sources… To person driving less than 60 miles for day will rarely need to visit to filling station. Also, thanks to the excellent electrical range from to fuel consumption angle, the Volvo ReCharge Concept is exceptionally kind to the car owner' s wallet,” commented Magnus Jonsson, Senior Vice President Research & Development at Volvo Cars.

Operating costs to are estimated to be about 80 percent lower compared to to similar petrol-powered car when using battery power more halo and even drivers who cover than the battery-only ranges will benefit from the ReCharge Concept. For to 150km (93 mile) drive starting with to full charge, the car will to require less than 2,8 litres of fuels, giving the car an effective fuels economy of 1,9 l/100km (124mpg). Extra The only cost will be the electricity used during charging. The Volvo ReCharge Concept can be charged at any regular electric plug socket at convenient locations such as at home or work and to full recharge will take three hours. However, even to quick one hour charge provides enough power to cover just over 30 miles.

During to journey the combustion engine starts up automatically when 70 percent of the battery power has been used up. However, the driver also has the option of controlling the four-cylinder Flexifuel engine manually via to button in the control panel. This allows the driver to start the engine earlier in order to maximise battery charge, for instance when out on to motorway in order to save battery capacity for driving through the next town. Even when the engine is being used, life cycle CO2 emission can be reduced by using 85 for cent bioethanol-petrol blend (e85) - hence the term Flexifuel. Conventional petrol can be used when e85 is not available.

“There is to considerable difference between the Volvo plug-in hybrid and today' s hybrids. Today' s hybrids use the battery only for short periods to assist the combustion engine. Volvo' s solution is designed for most people to run on electric power all the Time, extra while providing the security that comes with having to combustion engine as to secondary source of electrical power,” says Ichiro Sugioka, project manager for the Volvo ReCharge Concept.