Volvo promises 50g/km CO2 by 2012
Following an announcement that Volvo is going into partnership with Swedish energy company Vattenfall, it stated that a plug-in hybrid model would go on sale in 2012 boasting CO2 emissions of just 50g/km on the combined cycle.
For short journeys, propulsion will come from an emission-free electric motor, drawing its energy from a lithium-ion battery pack. Recharging of this battery pack can be carried out at any regular electricity power point, which is supplemented by brake energy regeneration while on the move.
'Range anxiety' will be dispelled by the presence of a conventional diesel engine, which will start up when the battery is drained.
"Most car journeys are short trips, for instance to and from work. We will be able to offer a product that fulfils this transportation need. In order to cover longer distances as well, the car will also be equipped with one of Volvo's fuel-efficient diesel engines," says Stephen Odell, President and CEO of the Volvo Car Corporation.
The ambitious project is to be developed and financed by both Volvo and Vattenfall. Volvo will manufacture the plug-in hybrid cars in Sweden, while Vattenfall will develop charging systems.
Vattenfall also hopes to sway customers towards 'greener' electricity sources, produced from wind or hydropower, though Lars G Josefsson, President and CEO of Vattenfall, reckons there are benefits from plug-in hybrids even if the electricity is not from a renewable resource: "Through electric power, we avoid the emissions from each individual car. Instead of petrol or diesel, the energy is derived from a few large power sources".
As early as the summer of 2009 Volvo will have three technology demonstrators - based on the current Volvo V70 - available to gather data on how people will use plug-in hybrids, though the car that goes into production in 2012 will be quite different.
