REPORT: Volvo working on electric C30, will show concept in Frankfurt
Volvo ReCharge concept - Click above for hi-res image gallery
According to Autocar in the UK, Volvo has confirmed it's planning to debut an all-electric C30 hatchback at its Innovation for Life event at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. We first heard rumors of such a machine last week, but at the time the Swedish automaker wasn't willing to confirm its presence.
Says an unnamed source at Volvo, "One of the cars that will be shown at the Innovation for Life event will be an all-electric C30 and that car will be driven. At the moment, the all-electric C30 is just a concept and Volvo has no current plans to put it into production." When pressed about its chances for production, the source said, "It is an evaluation concept... It's being worked on and is part of an ongoing evaluation and we will make a decision in the future. At the moment, we are not considering putting it into production."
Volvo has confirmed an upcoming plug-in hybrid hybrid version of its V70 wagon using an electric motor to power the rear wheels and a diesel engine to power the front. That car is expected to debut in full production form in 2012.
Gallery: Volvo ReCharge PHEV project
[Source: Autocar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rick 9:59AM (8/10/2009)
Why can't Volvo do a typical radio/info screen? A 7" nav would look nice in that dash.
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Jon 2:15PM (8/10/2009)
"At the moment, we are not considering putting it into production."
*sigh*
It would seem manufacturers still question the viability of electric cars. I really hope the Model S helps to open such closed minds.
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Throwback 2:37PM (8/10/2009)
Ford's Focus EV will be built on the next gen C platform. I don't see why Volvo couldn't build a EV C30 in the next generation, assuming they are still owned by Ford. If they are building a EV, I don't blame them for denying it today. It is probably 2-3 years away.
augustus 6:35PM (8/10/2009)
I thought Ford sold Volvo. So hard to keep track of stuff like this (who owns Jag/LR today?)
I'd prefer a US diesel C30 with 50+ mpg to a 30k+ electric C30 on sale in 2012 with low volume.
David 5:53PM (8/12/2009)
Jag/LR is now owned by Tata.
Kalle Andersson 4:06PM (8/10/2009)
Volvo is not the brand that pushes the technology forward...
They'll make an EV when all the rest has done so too and it will probably be very nice, some new twists but nothing earthquaking.
By the way. Here's some info about a concept they made some 16 years ago...
http://www.greencar.com/articles/volvo-hybrid-environmental-concept-car.php
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Mark Kiernan 7:46AM (8/11/2009)
An ICE + EV is going to be pretty crappy, make it a BEV or nothing.
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