AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com AutoblogGreen http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[Volvo's new four-cylinder engines offer more performace, better fuel efficiency]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/volvo-new-four-cylinder-engines-offer-better-mpg/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/volvo-new-four-cylinder-engines-offer-better-mpg/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/volvo-new-four-cylinder-engines-offer-better-mpg/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Volvo has started production of four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines for its new Volvo Engine Architecture (VEA) lineup. They're variants of Volvo's current models and are optimized to deliver higher performance than the current lineup of Volvo six-cylinder models, with less fuel consumption.

The VEA variants have been under preparation for about two years at Volvo's engine plant in Skövde, Sweden. The company has invested heavily in the plant's overhaul - about two billion kronor, or close to $300 million US. All of the engines are being built on the same line, which makes overall production more efficient. The Volvo press release (available below) says that the in-house operation is a vital part of the automaker's strategy for independence.

The VEA is replacing eight engine architectures on three different platforms, with the first new engines being introduced this year and continuing through 2015. Nearly 20,000 engines are scheduled to be produced in 2013, with a target rate of 2,000 units per week by the end of the year. By the fall of 2013, Volvo expects to have fitted the new engines to the Volvo S60, V60, XC60, V70, XC70 and S80 models.

Like the electrification of a few Volvo models, the objective of the new four-cylinder variants is to offer good energy economy, low environmental impact and immense driving pleasure at an attractive price, Derek Crabb, Volvo's vice president powertrain engineering said.

Continue reading Volvo's new four-cylinder engines offer more performace, better fuel efficiency

Volvo's new four-cylinder engines offer more performace, better fuel efficiency originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 15 May 2013 17:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>four cylinder enginesfuel efficiencyvariantsvolvoWed, 15 May 2013 17:47:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20567588/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20567588/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/15/volvo-new-four-cylinder-engines-offer-better-mpg/20567588/article-detail.xml 20567588 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/volvo-v70_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/volvo-v70.jpg <![CDATA[Volvo doubling V60 diesel PHEV production to 10,000 to meet demand]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/volvo-doubling-v60-diesel-phev-production-to-10000/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/volvo-doubling-v60-diesel-phev-production-to-10000/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/volvo-doubling-v60-diesel-phev-production-to-10000/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Volvo V60 PHEV

Turns out, people want a highly efficient Volvo. The Swedish automaker originally was going to offer only 1,000 of its first production diesel plug-in hybrid (PHEV), the V60 PHEV, but now it is apparently having trouble keeping up with demand.

Last September, Volvo said it had sold out of its first 1,000 units made, so the increased production target isn't a surprise. Volvo had originally planned to boost annual production to about 5,000 in 2014 - up from about 1,000 this year. A report in Cars UK says Volvo may now try to double that number for next year. The reason for the 10,000 new diesel PHEVs is because Volvo's been "inundated" with orders for the car, which retails for about $80,000. The car can go as far as 32 miles on electric power alone and can scoot from 0 to 60 miles per hour in about six seconds. Plus, hey, diesel plug-in efficiency.

Volvo doubling V60 diesel PHEV production to 10,000 to meet demand originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 01 May 2013 13:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>diesel plug-in hybridphevplug-in hybridv60v60 phevWed, 01 May 2013 13:41:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20553280/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20553280/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/01/volvo-doubling-v60-diesel-phev-production-to-10000/20553280/article-detail.xml 20553280 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/volvov60-1367359320_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/volvov60-1367359320.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla Model S wins 2013 World Green Car of the Year]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/28/tesla-model-s-wins-2013-world-green-car-of-the-year/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/28/tesla-model-s-wins-2013-world-green-car-of-the-year/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/28/tesla-model-s-wins-2013-world-green-car-of-the-year/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2012 Tesla Model S at sunrise - front three-quarter view, black

The automotive journalist judges behind the World Green Car of the Year apparently with the overwhelming majority of AutoblogGreen readers, as they've just named the Tesla Model S their winner. We don't yet know what the official ballots were, but our informal poll had the Tesla beating the other two finalists - the all-electric Renault Zoe and the Volvo V60 plug-in hybrid - with over 82 percent of the vote.

This is just the latest win for the Model S. The all-electric sedan was named "Car of the Year" by both Automobile and Motor Trend in 2012 and even Time Magazine called it of the 25 Best Inventions of the year.

Previous winners include the Mercedes-Benz S250 CDI BlueEfficiency (2012), Chevrolet Volt (2011) Volkswagen BlueMotion (2010) and Honda FCX Clarity (2009).

Tesla Model S wins 2013 World Green Car of the Year originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 28 Mar 2013 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 renault zoe2013 tesla model s2013 volvo v60car of the yearelectric vehiclegreen carplug-in hybridrenault zoeteslatesla model svolvo v60 plug in hybridworld green car of the yearThu, 28 Mar 2013 09:25:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20521605/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20521605/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/28/tesla-model-s-wins-2013-world-green-car-of-the-year/20521605/article-detail.xml 20521605 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/2012-tesla-model-s-fd_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/2012-tesla-model-s-fd.jpg <![CDATA[Who should win 2013 World Green Car of the Year?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/25/who-should-win-2013-world-green-car-of-the-year/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/25/who-should-win-2013-world-green-car-of-the-year/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/25/who-should-win-2013-world-green-car-of-the-year/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Which is best new green car in the world - the all-electric Renault Zoe, the all-electric Tesla Model S or the Volvo V60 plug-in hybrid?

Those are the three finalists for the 2013 World Green Car of the Year award, and the winner will be announced later this week at the 2013 New York International Auto Show. The three finalists were named announced at the recent 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The annual award is limited to production vehicles that either are available to buy, or will be soon, on at least two of the world's continents.

The 2013 Volvo V60 plug-in hybrid already is sold out for this production year, the Tesla S has been controversial lately for a dispute over its range ability, and the Renault Zoe is not available in North America. We wonder how the judges will take all this into account?

The 2012 World Green Car of the Year winner was the Mercedes S 250 CDI clean diesel, which beat out the other finalists, the Ford Focus Electric and the Peugeot 3008.

View Poll

Continue reading Who should win 2013 World Green Car of the Year?

Who should win 2013 World Green Car of the Year? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 25 Mar 2013 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 new york auto showdieselevnew york auto showphevrenault zoetesla model svolvo v60Mon, 25 Mar 2013 17:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20514847/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20514847/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/25/who-should-win-2013-world-green-car-of-the-year/20514847/article-detail.xml 20514847 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/world-green-car-of-the-year-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/world-green-car-of-the-year-628.jpg <![CDATA[Volvo will sell 475 hybrid buses to Quebec]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/19/volvo-will-sell-475-hybrid-buses-to-quebec/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/19/volvo-will-sell-475-hybrid-buses-to-quebec/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/19/volvo-will-sell-475-hybrid-buses-to-quebec/#commentsFiled under: ,

Volvo hybrid bus

Swedish vehicle maker Volvo has received its largest-ever order for hybrid buses, a deal to supply Quebec with a huge fleet of 475 units, with an option to buy another 1,200. Volvo's Nova Bus division plans to deliver the buses in early 2014 and the buses will be distributed through Quebec's nine transportation authorities The people movers are said to get about 30 percent better fuel economy than comparable diesel vehicles.

Volvo first started testing its hybrid buses near its home base in Sweden in 2009, and the following year began serial production. In 2012, Volvo had orders for more than 150 buses in Europe. The company that year also started field testing hybrid buses in Mexico City and Brazil. In all, Volvo has built about 1,600 hybrid buses, showing just what a big deal the 475 for Quebec are. Check out Volvo's press release below.

Continue reading Volvo will sell 475 hybrid buses to Quebec

Volvo will sell 475 hybrid buses to Quebec originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 19 Feb 2013 07:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bushybridnovaquebecvolvoTue, 19 Feb 2013 07:50:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20458850/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20458850/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/19/volvo-will-sell-475-hybrid-buses-to-quebec/20458850/article-detail.xml 20458850 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/volvobus_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/volvobus.jpg <![CDATA[Volvo On Call smartphone app improved for V60 Plug-in Diesel Hybrid]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/28/volvo-on-call-smartphone-app-improved-v60-plug-in-diesel-hybrid/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/28/volvo-on-call-smartphone-app-improved-v60-plug-in-diesel-hybrid/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/28/volvo-on-call-smartphone-app-improved-v60-plug-in-diesel-hybrid/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

V60 Plug-in Diesel Hybrid

Volvo will start selling the world's first plug-in diesel hybrid production vehicle in the UK later this year and is improving its Volvo On Call smartphone app specifically for buyers of the V60 PHEV wagon.

Volvo On Call is a free download, and includes goodies like remote door locking, vehicle-location devices (for those times when the parking lot is just too big for you to actually find your cars) and a fuel-economy tracker. Computerized driving logs, remote cabin-temperature control and a bunch of GPS location-type features will also be part of Volvo On Call.

The V60 Plug-in Diesel Hybrid will boast a2.4-liter turbodiesel engine delivering 215 horsepower plus a 70-horsepower electric motor that can power the car by itself for as far as 32 miles. No set price has been disclosed, though it's reportedly in the painful $81,000 range. Hey, at least the app is free.


Volvo plans to make about 1,000 units of the V60 PHEV for the 2013 model year and as many as another 6,000 for the following year. In September, Volvo announce that it ahd already sold out of its model-year 2013 batch. The Swedish automaker started production of the model late last year. Volvo's press release is available below.

Continue reading Volvo On Call smartphone app improved for V60 Plug-in Diesel Hybrid

Volvo On Call smartphone app improved for V60 Plug-in Diesel Hybrid originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>on callplug-in diesel hybridsmartphone appv60volvoMon, 28 Jan 2013 16:44:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20439347/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20439347/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/28/volvo-on-call-smartphone-app-improved-v60-plug-in-diesel-hybrid/20439347/article-detail.xml 20439347 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/volvo-v60-diesel-hybrid-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/volvo-v60-diesel-hybrid-628.jpg <![CDATA[Volvo V60 PHEV get five-star crash test rating from Euro NCAP [w/video]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/05/volvo-v60-phev-get-five-star-crash-test-rating-from-euro-ncap-w/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/05/volvo-v60-phev-get-five-star-crash-test-rating-from-euro-ncap-w/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/05/volvo-v60-phev-get-five-star-crash-test-rating-from-euro-ncap-w/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

volvo v60 plug-in hybrid

Volvo continues to take kudos for making the safest cars on European roads, with its diesel-engine V60 plug-in hybrid earning the highest score ever for a PHEV given by Euro NCAP. The Euro NCAP tested the all-new V60 PHEV through a series of crash tests and give it a five star rating; if this were in the US, it would be quite similar to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's crash test rating system. But why take our word for it when you can see a video below.

The trick here for Volvo was designing safety measures for a car with a heavy battery pack weighing it down. The structure had to be modified and reinforced with a controlled deformation to bring up the safety level. "The Euro NCAP score demonstrates that the ingenious V60 Plug-in Hybrid features the same outstanding safety level as the standard car," said Jan Ivarsson, senior manager safety strategy & requirements at Volvo Car Group, in a statement.

Fuel consumption was also a priority in the design. The V60 comes in three driving modes: Pure, Hybrid and Power. In Hybrid mode, fuel consumption is reduced to just 1.8 liters per 100 kilometer (131 miles per gallon) and 48 grams per kilometer of CO2.

As of late September, the first 1,000 units of the 2013 model year V60 had been purchased.

A few months ago, the all-new 2013 Volvo V40 took some of the top scores in crash tests that Euro NCAP has ever awarded. The car ended up with strong performance in all four crash test categories - adult occupant, child occupant, pedestrian and safety assist.

Continue reading Volvo V60 PHEV get five-star crash test rating from Euro NCAP [w/video]

Volvo V60 PHEV get five-star crash test rating from Euro NCAP [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 05 Dec 2012 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crash test ratingscrast test videodiesel engineeuro ncapnhtsaplug in hybridplug-in hybridv60vehicle safetyvolvoWed, 05 Dec 2012 18:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20393400/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20393400/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/05/volvo-v60-phev-get-five-star-crash-test-rating-from-euro-ncap-w/20393400/article-detail.xml 20393400 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/volvo-v60_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/volvo-v60.jpg <![CDATA[Volvo starts production of V60 diesel plug-in hybrid, first anywhere [w/video]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/11/20/volvo-starts-production-of-v60-diesel-plug-in-hybrid-first-anyw/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/11/20/volvo-starts-production-of-v60-diesel-plug-in-hybrid-first-anyw/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/11/20/volvo-starts-production-of-v60-diesel-plug-in-hybrid-first-anyw/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid Production

Volvo Car Corporation claims that its V60 Plug-in Hybrid is the world's very first diesel plug-in hybrid. That might be the case - there's a limited number of Peugot 3008 Hybrid 4s in Europe and Hino Trucks launched its Class 5 work truck for the US market earlier this year - but both of these vehicles are diesel hybrids, not plug-in hybrids. So, Volvo has is telling the truth here, at least in terms of what global automakers are producing. And it's that production that's most important here.

Volvo's production and sales forecast is small scale, but it does seem to be moving the metal. Volvo initially announced a target of making 1,000 of the 2013 models, but high advance orders led the company to ramp up production levels. Production will increase to between 4,000 and 6,000 cars for the 2014 model year.

It's not clear when these V60s will be arriving in the US. Americans have become more interested in buying "clean diesel" vehicles, and the plug-in hybrid mileage benefits could add to the V60's market appeal. They're not cheap - reports said it would cost around the equivalent of $81,000 US -but they are expected to sell out in Europe. "The first year's 1,000-car batch was sold out even before the car reached the showrooms and the order books for next year's cars are already filling up," said Peter Mertens, senior vice president of research and development at Volvo, in a statement.

One aspect of the V60 plug-in hybrid that Volvo is calling out is that it has 300 more parts than the conventional internal combustion engine version of the V60. This requires additional equipment and systems at the final assembly line to smoothly integrate the process. One example of the integrated production flow is the electric motor fitted on the same station as the final drive on the standard four-wheel drive models. Another one deals with the battery pack being lifted in through the car's tailgate, short side forward, and then it gets spun a quarter of a turn in the passenger compartment.

"The 11.2 kWh lithium-type battery is the single most complex system in the car. The precision manoeuvre to get it in place is an excellent example of the state-of-the-art assembly process," Merten said.

Continue reading Volvo starts production of V60 diesel plug-in hybrid, first anywhere [w/video]

Volvo starts production of V60 diesel plug-in hybrid, first anywhere [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 20 Nov 2012 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clean dieselhybridsphevplug in hybridv60volvoTue, 20 Nov 2012 12:28:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20383960/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20383960/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/20/volvo-starts-production-of-v60-diesel-plug-in-hybrid-first-anyw/20383960/article-detail.xml 20383960 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/volvo-v60-plug-in-hybrid-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/volvo-v60-plug-in-hybrid-628.jpg <![CDATA[New Volvo 22-kW fast-charger drops recharge time to 90 minutes]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/11/05/new-volvo-22-kw-fast-charger-drops-recharge-time-to-90-minutes/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/11/05/new-volvo-22-kw-fast-charger-drops-recharge-time-to-90-minutes/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/11/05/new-volvo-22-kw-fast-charger-drops-recharge-time-to-90-minutes/#commentsFiled under: , ,



A lot of factors play into an electric-vehicle's charging time, but a general rule is that the higher the on-board charger, the shorter that time will be. The on-board charger in the first-generation Nissan Leaf was 3.3 kW. The upgraded second-generation could use a 6.6 kW charger. On the new, third-edition Smart ED, there's a 22-kW charger. Today, Volvo announced a new 22-kW fast-charger for the C30 Electric that "operates on three-phase supplies and is small enough to be fitted in an electric car." Volvo says this is the world's first three-phase, on-board charger. This helps reduce the charging time to completely refill an empty pack in an average EV from eight-to-10 hours to just 90 minutes, when used with a 400-volt, three-phase outlet with 32 amps. The new charger will be tested in some C30 Electrics.

Volvo's vice president of electric propulsion systems, Lennart Stegland, said in a statement that, "We know that short recharging times and extensive operating range are a necessity for potential electric car consumers. The fast-charging unit helps cure what is known as 'range anxiety' since the car can be more easily recharged during the day. And even if you don't have enough time for a 1.5-hour charge, plugging in for just 30 minutes will give you enough power for another 80 kilometres of driving." That's not quite Tesla Model S Supercharger territory (which uses 90-kW chargers), but it is impressive.

Continue reading New Volvo 22-kW fast-charger drops recharge time to 90 minutes

New Volvo 22-kW fast-charger drops recharge time to 90 minutes originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 05 Nov 2012 10:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>22-kw chargerelectric vehicleevkwlennart steglandon-board chargerplug-in hybridrange anxietyvolvoMon, 05 Nov 2012 10:22:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20370683/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20370683/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/05/new-volvo-22-kw-fast-charger-drops-recharge-time-to-90-minutes/20370683/article-detail.xml 20370683 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/volvo-c30-22kw-fast-charger_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/volvo-c30-22kw-fast-charger.jpg <![CDATA[First 1,000 Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrids already sold out]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/09/28/first-1-000-volvo-v60-plug-in-hybrids-already-sold-out/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/09/28/first-1-000-volvo-v60-plug-in-hybrids-already-sold-out/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/09/28/first-1-000-volvo-v60-plug-in-hybrids-already-sold-out/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

volvo v60 diesel hybrid

Since at least May, the plan has been for Volvo to sell the V60 diesel plug-in hybrid before the calendar flips to show 2013. Today, the Swedish automaker announced that the first 1,000 units, all model year 2013 vehicles, have been purchased, and "the order books for next year's cars are already filling up." And the PHEV hasn't even hit showrooms yet. Volvo says it expects to make (and presumably sell) 5,000 V60 PHEVs "as of model year 2014."

The first 1,000 V60 PHEVs are all part of a "Pure Limited" edition, which has Electric Silver livery, "aero-designed" 17-inch wheels and integrated exhaust tailpipes. When Volvo introduced the V60 PHEV last year, it said the wagon uses a five-cylinder 2.4-liter turbo diesel engine that offers 215 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that powers the front wheels. The electric side of the powertrain uses a 11.2-kWh lithium-ion battery and a 70-hp electric motor on the back wheels. The V60 PHEV can go up to 32 miles on battery power. Earlier this year, reports said the V60 PHEV would cost around the equivalent of $81,000 U.S., and we might even get it in the U.S., if the Europeans don't buy them all first.

Continue reading First 1,000 Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrids already sold out

First 1,000 Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrids already sold out originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 28 Sep 2012 07:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Now what?

Volvo, which has been testing variations of its road-train transportation concept with multiple cars and lead trucks since 2009, says the test has been "successfully finalised during 2012."

The SARTRE (Safe Road Trains for the Environment) concept involves a lead truck piloted by a professional driver, a follow truck and three following light-duty Volvos. In the most recent testing, Volvo was able to achieve consistent speeds of about 55 miles per hour with the cars driving at a four-meter gap.

The idea behind SARTRE is that drivers in a group of cars can basically take their eyes (and foot pedals) off the road when driving long distances because their vehicles would become part of a "road train." The cars are kept at steady speeds and safe distances because of technology - cameras, lasers and radar - that's already used for things like lane maintenance, blind spot alarms and adaptive cruise control.

In addition to being able to multitask, drivers benefit from achieving fuel economy increases of up to 20 percent better than driving without a car train because of the aerodynamic gains of having the cars drive so close together.

Volvo said in late May that it tested the concept on Spain's public roads. The three vehicles followed a truck for about 125 miles at speeds of about 53 miles per hour, all while traveling six meters apart. Despite that success, Volvo has not announced a timeframe for when this concept will be adapted and available for the general public. Check out the press release below.

Continue reading Volvo finishes SATRE project, says 'road train' works

Volvo finishes SATRE project, says 'road train' works originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 18 Sep 2012 18:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cruise controlroad trainsartrespaintruckvolvoTue, 18 Sep 2012 18:46:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20325976/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20325976/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/18/volvo-finishes-satre-project-road-train-works/20325976/article-detail.xml 20325976 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/volvo-satre-road-train-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/volvo-satre-road-train-628.jpg <![CDATA[Still kicking, EnerDel gets second battery contract for Volvo C30 Electric]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/08/31/enerdel-second-battery-contract-for-volvo-c30-electric/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/08/31/enerdel-second-battery-contract-for-volvo-c30-electric/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/08/31/enerdel-second-battery-contract-for-volvo-c30-electric/#commentsFiled under: ,



Volvo vehicles are known to be able to withstand major crashes. We'll see if the maker of batteries for the Swedish automaker's C30 Electric can do the same.

EnerDel, whose parent Ener1 declared bankruptcy in January, won its second contract to make lithium-ion batteries for the electric vehicle. The company, which won its first contract for the model in September 2009, will start producing its "multi-million-dollar order" next month and will continue making the battery packs through next year. Last month, the Volvo C30 EV was named the "Green Car of the Year" in China at the 4th China New Energy Mobility Summit.

EnerDel restructured in late March after Ener1 received $86 million in new equity and debt-holder agreements. Ener1 was taken down in part because of its investment in Norwegian EV maker Think, which went bankrupt last June.

Continue reading Still kicking, EnerDel gets second battery contract for Volvo C30 Electric

Still kicking, EnerDel gets second battery contract for Volvo C30 Electric originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bankruptbatteriesc30c30 electriccontractelectric vehicleener1enerdellithium-ionvolvovolvo c30 electricFri, 31 Aug 2012 08:00:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20310230/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20310230/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/31/enerdel-second-battery-contract-for-volvo-c30-electric/20310230/article-detail.xml 20310230 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/volvoc30ev_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/volvoc30ev.jpg <![CDATA[Volvo C30 Electric wins "Green Car of the Year" in China as 100-day test drives start]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/07/22/volvo-c30-electric-wins-green-car-of-the-year-in-china-as-100/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/07/22/volvo-c30-electric-wins-green-car-of-the-year-in-china-as-100/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/07/22/volvo-c30-electric-wins-green-car-of-the-year-in-china-as-100/#commentsFiled under: , ,

volvo c30 electric green car of the year award china

It may be limited in number and expensive as all get out, but the Volvo C30 Electric does have some big fans. In fact, the all-electric (almost) vehicle was named the "Green Car of the Year" in China at the 4th China New Energy Mobility Summit.

This week, Volvo delivered 15 of the C30 EVs to Shanghai as part of something called EV100 Days. The project will see "qualified volunteer drivers" test a C30 Electric for, well, 100 days. The Shanghai International Automotive City Group (SIAC) also just marked the first anniversary of its electric vehicle (EV) campaign. Given that Volvo is now owned by Chinese automaker Geely, Freeman Shen, the senior vice president of Volvo Car Corporation and chairman of China Operations, said that bringing the C30 Electric to China is really introducing it to "our second home market." It makes sense that Volvo is interested in collecting data "about the C30 Electric's performance on Chinese roads as well as the driving habits of Chinese consumers," since the company mentions the getting ready for the "mass promotion of electric vehicles in China and the development of next-generation electric vehicles."

Continue reading Volvo C30 Electric wins "Green Car of the Year" in China as 100-day test drives start

Volvo C30 Electric wins "Green Car of the Year" in China as 100-day test drives start originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 22 Jul 2012 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>c30c30 electricelectric vehiclevolvo c30volvo c30 chinavolvo evSun, 22 Jul 2012 09:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20282458/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20282458/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/22/volvo-c30-electric-wins-green-car-of-the-year-in-china-as-100/20282458/article-detail.xml 20282458 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/volvo-c30-electric-green-car-award-china_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/volvo-c30-electric-green-car-award-china.jpg <![CDATA[Volvo's 'Tech World' might be shape of things to come, but it's hard to tell]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/06/19/volvos-tech-world-might-be-shape-of-things-to-come-its-hard/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/06/19/volvos-tech-world-might-be-shape-of-things-to-come-its-hard/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/06/19/volvos-tech-world-might-be-shape-of-things-to-come-its-hard/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Reveal just enough to keep things interesting.

That's what Volvo's trying to do by launching a website highlighting its efforts to improve its technology related to reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.

Volvo is producing its "Tech World" website to highlight advancements such as deriving fuel from "forest raw material," getting electricity from excess engine heat and creating systems that allow two vehicles to communicate with each other. The Swedish automaker notes that it has spent more than 13 billion Swedish krona ($1.85 billion U.S. at today's exchange rates) on research and development related to sustainable transportation advancements since 2011.

Volvo says it is trying to walk the fine line between providing what's "beneficial for us, our customers and society" and not revealing "anything that will jeopardize our competitiveness." The company is offering a video about just these advancements below.

Last year, Volvo debuted a battery-electric prototype of its C30 that the company estimated would be available for lease by the end of 2012.

Continue reading Volvo's 'Tech World' might be shape of things to come, but it's hard to tell

Volvo's 'Tech World' might be shape of things to come, but it's hard to tell originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 16:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicletech worldtechworldtransportationvolvovolvo groupvolvo techworldTue, 19 Jun 2012 16:08:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20261083/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20261083/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/19/volvos-tech-world-might-be-shape-of-things-to-come-its-hard/20261083/article-detail.xml 20261083 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/volvogroup_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/volvogroup.jpg <![CDATA[Volvo's Sartre road train's autonomous cars go 50 mph over 120 miles in Spain]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/29/volvos-sartre-road-trains-autonomous-cars-go-50-mph-in-spain/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/29/volvos-sartre-road-trains-autonomous-cars-go-50-mph-in-spain/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/29/volvos-sartre-road-trains-autonomous-cars-go-50-mph-in-spain/#commentsFiled under: , ,

volvo satre road train testing in spain

With each new phase of Volvo's Sartre road train project, we get another glimpse into how the fuel-saving technology is evolving. This time, Volvo has tested the technology on public roads in Spain, calling the event "highly successful."

Volvo used three vehicles - a XC60, a V60 and a S60 - that drove autonomously following a truck for 200 kilometers (124 miles) at 85 kilometers an hour (53 miles per hour) on the roads outside Barceolona. The follows vehicles used "cameras, radar and laser sensors" and wireless communication to copy what the lead vehicle is doing "using Ricardo autonomous control - accelerating, braking and turning in exactly the same way as the leader." The vehicles were about six meters (20 feet) apart.

Why do this? In a road train, driver's don't need to focus on the road, for one thing, but there are also safety and fuel-efficiency benefits. Now that the system has been proven on public roads, Volvo says the next step is to focus on the fuel-saving side of the project, refining how reduced drag on the follower cars can improve efficiency. One early number estimated that road trains like Satre could reduce fuel costs up to 20 percent. We look forward to Volvo's next information release to see where the real-world benefits stand.

Volvo has been testing Sartre since 2009, and we don't expect to see any production-ready results for years to come. Still, this type of technology is developing quickly, and we think it'd be fun interesting to sit in the non-driver's driver's seat some day. Check out a video of the test below.

Continue reading Volvo's Sartre road train's autonomous cars go 50 mph over 120 miles in Spain

Volvo's Sartre road train's autonomous cars go 50 mph over 120 miles in Spain originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 29 May 2012 09:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>road trainsarter road trainsartrevolvoTue, 29 May 2012 09:51:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20246445/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20246445/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/29/volvos-sartre-road-trains-autonomous-cars-go-50-mph-in-spain/20246445/article-detail.xml 20246445 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/sartre-road-train-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/sartre-road-train-628.jpg <![CDATA[Heico Sportiv debuts Volvo V40 mods with bio-diesel racer]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/29/heico-sportiv-debuts-volvo-v40-mods-with-bio-diesel-racer/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/29/heico-sportiv-debuts-volvo-v40-mods-with-bio-diesel-racer/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/29/heico-sportiv-debuts-volvo-v40-mods-with-bio-diesel-racer/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Volvo V40 by Heico Sportiv

The V40 is a vital product not only for Volvo itself, but also for the tuners that specialize in customizing the Swedish automobiles. See especially, Heico Sportiv.

The German tuning firm hinted a few weeks ago at its impending line of accessories for the new sportwagon, and has now followed up by announcing the racecar you see here. The modified V40 serves two purposes: The first will be to race at the Nürburgring 24-hour race - presumably next year's since this year's just finished. Secondly, it previews a range of modifications that the company will be offering buyers of the new V40.

The mod job includes a full aero kit, complete with flared wheel arches, front splitter, rear diffuser and a big rear wing. The exhaust, suspension and rolling stock have also been upgraded, capped by a version of Volvo's five-cylinder turbo-diesel tuned to produce 300 horsepower on biodiesel fuel. That much is hinted at by the "Green Racing" livery which mimics that run by the Volvo team in various touring car series.

The car will make its public debut at the upcoming auto show in Leipzig, Germany, but you can scope it out now in the press release below.

Continue reading Heico Sportiv debuts Volvo V40 mods with bio-diesel racer

Heico Sportiv debuts Volvo V40 mods with bio-diesel racer originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 29 May 2012 07:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bio-dieselbio-fuelheicoheico sportivv40volvovolvo v40Tue, 29 May 2012 07:50:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20246340/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20246340/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/29/heico-sportiv-debuts-volvo-v40-mods-with-bio-diesel-racer/20246340/article-detail.xml 20246340 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/v40-heicoweb_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/v40-heicoweb.jpg <![CDATA[Volvo will start V60 diesel plug-in hybrid deliveries in Europe by year-end]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/04/volvo-will-start-v60-diesel-plug-in-hybrid-deliveries-in-europe/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/04/volvo-will-start-v60-diesel-plug-in-hybrid-deliveries-in-europe/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/04/volvo-will-start-v60-diesel-plug-in-hybrid-deliveries-in-europe/#commentsFiled under: , ,



If you're European and have a cool $80,000 at your disposal, you probably don't have to worry fuel costs. Volvo would like to give you the option to care about them even less, though, just in case.

Across the pond, the Swedish automaker plans to start deliveries of its V60 diesel plug-in hybrid by the end of the year, Plugin Cars reports. Volvo is taking orders for the car, which will sell for about $81,000 at current exchange rates. That's about $19,000 more than the regular V60. In countries like France, though, government incentives aimed at boosting electric-drive vehicle sales could shrink that premium to about $10,000.

Volvo unveiled the V60 plug-in at last year's Geneva Motor Show. The car will have a 2.4-liter five-cylinder turbodiesel engine paired with a 70-horsepower electric motor and battery that provides an all-electric range of as much as a 32 miles.

Volvo has said it is investing more than $2 billion in research and development specifically geared towards cutting its vehicles' greenhouse-gas emissions. Last June, Volvo introduced a battery-electric prototype of its C30 that the automaker said would be available for leasing customers by the end of this year. It, too, isn't cheap.

Volvo will start V60 diesel plug-in hybrid deliveries in Europe by year-end originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 04 May 2012 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dieseleuropefranceplug-in hybridv60v60 phevv60 phev salev60 plev leasevolvoFri, 04 May 2012 14:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20230629/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20230629/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/04/volvo-will-start-v60-diesel-plug-in-hybrid-deliveries-in-europe/20230629/article-detail.xml 20230629 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/volvov60plugin_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/volvov60plugin.jpg <![CDATA[Watch Volvo's hybrid semi-truck set a land speed record]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/watch-volvos-hybrid-semi-truck-set-a-land-speed-record/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/watch-volvos-hybrid-semi-truck-set-a-land-speed-record/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/watch-volvos-hybrid-semi-truck-set-a-land-speed-record/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Volvo hybrid semi truck speed record

Volvo is taking its Mean Green hybrid truck on U.S. tour for a few months. One of the stops between Toronto Tuck World and the Volvo Ocean Race in Miami was Wendover, UT, to attempt a couple of record-breaking speed runs.

Mean Green uses a 16-cylinder engine that puts out 1,900-horsepower, tied to an electric motor that adds 200 hp and 885 pound-feet. With that package, the Swedish Viking Speed Records Team and pilot Boije Overbrink were aiming for 165 miles per hour in the flying kilometer. They didn't quite make that lofty goal, but they did well enough to break not one, but two world records. Scroll down for the story of the day.

Continue reading Watch Volvo's hybrid semi-truck set a land speed record

Watch Volvo's hybrid semi-truck set a land speed record originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 02 May 2012 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flying kilometerhybridhybrid truckmean greenmean green volvostanding kilometervolvovolvo trucksworld recordWed, 02 May 2012 19:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20229638/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20229638/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/02/watch-volvos-hybrid-semi-truck-set-a-land-speed-record/20229638/article-detail.xml 20229638 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/volvo-hybrid-semi-speed-record_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/volvo-hybrid-semi-speed-record.jpg <![CDATA[Volvo cuts European fleetwide emissions by 13% over past two years]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/15/volvo-cuts-european-fleetwide-emissions-by-13-over-past-two-yea/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/15/volvo-cuts-european-fleetwide-emissions-by-13-over-past-two-yea/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/15/volvo-cuts-european-fleetwide-emissions-by-13-over-past-two-yea/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Volvo said it has cut its European fleetwide emissions from its gas- and diesel-powered vehicles by 13 percent during the past few years and is looking to reduce emissions even further starting next year.

For the 2013 model year, the Swedish automaker will debut a five-cylinder 2.0-liter, 136-horsepower turbodiesel engine - called the D3 - for its S60, V60, XC60, V70 and S80 models. All but the automatic-transmission XC60 crossover will have start-stop functionality.

Additionally, Volvo will also introduce a 115-horsepower diesel engine - the D2 - that will have the same emissions with both an automatic and manual transmissions, which Volvo says is a first.

Volvo is looking to use a combination of diesel technology and electric-drive powertrains to meet progressively more stringent European greenhouse-gas emissions. The company said in 2010 that, for the eight years ending in 2014, it will have sunk more than $2 billion in research and development specifically towards boosting fuel economy and reducing emissions.

Last June, Volvo debuted a battery-electric prototype version of its C30 with a 93-mile single-charge range and estimated that about 250 would be built by the end of this year for leasing to European customers. Volvo, which isn't selling the car, is charging about $2,100 a month for lessees the EVs.

Continue reading Volvo cuts European fleetwide emissions by 13% over past two years

Volvo cuts European fleetwide emissions by 13% over past two years originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo CEO Stefan Jacoby may be steering a company that is working on plug-in vehicles like the XDC60 plug-in hybrid and the C30 Electric, but he recently told an industry seminar in Brussels that an all-of-the-above approach is the right one. To wit, "It is far too early to dismiss the conventional diesel and petrol power trains," he said.

Jacoby has long been lukewarm about plug-in vehicles, pointing out that mainstream affordability and widespread readiness are not yet here. Of course, he has spoken in favor of EVs, too, and that "both sides" message was at the bottom of his speech at an industry seminar in Brussels. Specifically, Jacoby said that the EU governments need to continue to support vehicle electrification, as the targets the government has set - cutting transport greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent by 2050 and getting conventionally fueled cars out of cities by 2050 - will be difficult to hit without help. In the mean time, "Volvo Car Corporation urges the EU to coordinate incentives whilst supporting research and development. The European automotive industry risks losing the present technological leadership if this doesn't happen," he said.

Jacoby also said that a three to four percent plug-in vehicle market share by 2020 and a 30 percent share by 2030 are both "unrealistic." You can read more of his talking points after the jump.

Continue reading Volvo CEO challenges EU, says it's "far too early" to dismiss fossil fuels

Volvo CEO challenges EU, says it's "far too early" to dismiss fossil fuels originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>jacobystefan jacobyvolvoTue, 03 Apr 2012 15:43:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20197058/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20197058/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/03/volvo-ceo-challenges-eu-says-its-far-too-early-to-dismiss-fo/20197058/article-detail.xml 20197058 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/stefan-jacoby-w-plug_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/stefan-jacoby-w-plug.jpg -1 2