Volvo Rolls out another all electric ride
This one grabs the baton from an earlier prototype shown at the Frankfurt show in September, which was drivable. The Detroit show car, however, adds a full interior with instrumentation and enhanced battery packaging.
Volvo says it plans to make a test fleet of 50 battery-powered C30s for a two-year trial starting in 2011.
The electric C30 will seat four, just as the conventional car does, and the biggest change is in the interior. The instrument panel shows only the road speed and energy consumption, and there's a new gauge for the status of the battery charge.
The car has no gears, and full power is available immediately. The lithium-ion batteries can be charged in a household socket or at roadside station; a full charge takes eight hours.
Top speed is about 81 mph with a fully charged battery pack, and acceleration to 60 mph is accomplished in 10.5 seconds. The range is 93 miles, which Volvo says covers the daily driving for 90 percent of European motorists. The batteries weigh 617 pounds. A picture of electric Volvo C30Volvo The electric Volvo C30 requires eight hours for a full charge.
“The first prototype helped us identify the main technological challenges, such as battery packaging and safety issues," Lennart Stegland, Volvo special vehicles director, said in a statement.
“We have addressed these challenges without compromising the C30's personality. I am very happy with the result. The electric C30 in Detroit is a much more complete product." autoweek.com