Already shown as a prototype, Volvo's battery-powered C30 electric vehicle will launch at the Detroit Auto Show in January ahead of production of the first 50 vehicles for testing.
Power comes from lithium-ion batteries which can be recharged using a home electricity outlet and provide a range of up to 150kms. The electric C30 has a top speed of 130 km/h.
The car looks like a regular C30 and offers exactly the same creature comforts, however on-road testing by a variety of consumers is necessary to study not only technical aspects but also behavioural elements of drivers.
'Our test fleet data will be valuable in Volvo Cars' development of electric cars. It will also provide crucial input for the infrastructure planners and help define which services are needed to make rechargeable cars the most attractive choice (for new cars buyers) in the future,' explained Lennart Stegland, Director of Volvo Cars Special Vehicles.
It is the last point which is proving difficult throughout the world (including Australia where both Mitsubishi and Nissan are discussing with Government the recharging requirements for electric vehicles).
For electric vehicles to have everyday practicality, recharging points in major cities, shopping malls etc are required, but the stumbling block seems to be who will pay for the electricity. Given that an electric vehicle costs about four cents to recharge completely from empty, with the enormous environmental benefits on offer - en electric vehicle uses less than one-fourth as much energy as an engine running on fossil fuels - a progressive government would just green light the concept immediately and absorb the costs.
Indeed the Swedish Energy Authority has contributed SEK 150 million to help development of the Volvo C30 Electric Vehicle.
As you would expect with Volvo, safety has been ramped-up in the development of this newcomer. The electric motor is fitted under the bonnet while the batteries are installed in the propeller shaft tunnel and where the fuel tank would normally be - thus removing them from the passenger compartment but providing levels of crumple protection.
