Plug-in Volvo getting closer

Volvo has unveiled that it's planning to lead the way towards truly environmentally friendly transport, starting with a plug-in hybrid by 2012. It has also announced it is working on cars powered by second-generation bio-fuels including synthetic bio-diesel - and could release an extremely fuel-efficient hybrid bio-diesel car as a stepping-stone towards full electric cars.

The maker is determined to become a leader in fuel efficient cars, saying that in the long term it believes mass use of electric cars has the 'biggest potential' for reducing motoring's environmental impact. As such, the maker is trialling a battery-powered C30 and will release a certain number for public testing before 'a decision will be taken on possible market introduction.' It claims the biggest challenge facing widespread electric car use is not a charging infrastructure, but making sure cars have an adequate range before the battery runs flat.

But the main criticism of assuming the electric car is the 'be all and end all' of green motoring bliss is that just considering tailpipe emissions doesn't take whole lifecycle costs into account. Huge amounts of energy are needed to build a car, as well as the non-recyclable waste generated in scrapping it. The maker is working on that too, however, announcing that 85 percent of the materials it uses are recyclable, and 95 percent is recoverable to be used again.

Mark Nichol