Volvo C30 BEV

Expert Rating:

Introduction

We've driven Volvo's soon-to-be-introduced plug-in diesel-hybrid, but while attending that event Volvo let us have a go in its fully electric BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle). Unlike its hybrid relation, the BEV is fully electric, its 110bhp motor getting its power from a pair of lithium ion battery packs.

What is it?

The BEV is based on Volvo's C30, which is telling. Volvo, like all car manufacturers, will be introducing electric cars firstly on its smaller cars, as these typically are used for the shorter trips that suit current battery technology. As that technology develops and charging times drop that will change, but for the foreseeable future cars like the BEV will share showrooms - and the roads - with conventionally powered cars and hybrids.

How does it drive?

Like the majority of electric cars the BEV is pretty quick off the mark, its instantaneous torque allowing it to pull away with vigour. There's little to do inside but press the accelerator or brake, the BEV coming with an automatic transmission. The C30 BEV doesn't have the forceful energy recuperation when lifting off the accelerator that we've experienced in some electric cars, though any time you're freewheeling or braking the Volvo is scavenging back energy that would otherwise be lost. There's a slight weight penalty over a conventionally engined C30, but the 100kg or so that currently represents will lessen significantly in time. It rides just like a standard C30, will reach 62mph in around 10.5 seconds - quicker when fully charged - and in real world use should return around 60-70 miles from a full charge.

It's silent behind the wheel, the only sounds being the wind rushing by and some road noise from the tyres. That it drives just like a regular car is to its credit, the only obvious difference - aside from the lack of sound on the move - being the strange electric meter that replaces the traditional rev counter with a needle that swings to the left and right depending on whether you're using or generating energy.

Planet hugger or planet mugger?

Hugger, and some. If driving this doesn't have you feeling like a tree-hugging hippie then there's something wrong with you. Plug in, charge up on carbon neutral energy and you're good to go. Well, for seventy miles or so. You might find a train is more useful if you're going further. Or a conventional car... Volvo aims to have fully electric cars in its dealers in the middle of the next decade so you'll have to be patient, or buy one of its plug-in diesel V70s that should be available from 2012.

Verdict

Volvo is a small player so what it has already achieved with electric propulsion is impressive. It'll follow others to market, but with its BEV prototype it's proved that battery power is viable. There will need to be some infrastructure changes - as well as a continuation in the drop in battery prices - to make such a car economically viable, but cars like the BEV will be on our roads in the near future.

Kyle Fortune

Thursday October 1