THE LAST TIME Volvo offered details of its upcoming electrified C30, it bore the model’s pre-facelift visage and the name C30 BEV.
This week, Volvo has announced the electric C30, updated to the newer 2010 styling and no longer known as the C30 BEV, will commence road trials from 2011.
A road-ready prototype of the C30 BEV was revealed in September, and now Volvo plans to build 50 of the electric hatches for testing in a programme similar to BMW’s MINI E and its new 1 Series-based ActiveE.
“The first prototype helped us identify the main technological challenges, such as battery packaging and safety issues,” Lennart Stegland, Director of Volvo Cars Special Vehicles said.
“We have addressed these challenges without compromising the C30’s cool and fun-to-drive personality. I am very happy with the result. The electric C30 in Detroit is a much more complete product.”
Volvo will release 50 of its electric C30 hatches to “selected users” for everyday use in a two-year trial. The Swedish carmaker will use the tests to study the car’s systems and behavioural characteristics.
Mr Stegland said the tests will help not only Volvo’s engineers, but also city infrastructure planners working to establish the needs of electric vehicles.
“The consumers must feel that this type of car is attractive both to drive and own. That is why electric cars have to be as comfortable and safe and offer the same sort of performance as cars with other power sources,” Paul Gustavsson, Director of Electrification Strategy at Volvo Cars said.
The electric C30 stores its power in a 24kWh lithium-ion battery mounted in the centre tunnel and (former) fuel tank area, giving it a driving range of up to 150km on a single charge.
Recharging the battery takes eight hours using a 230v household outlet, with the 0-100km/h sprint covered in just under 11 seconds. Top speed is around 130km/h.
source: themotorreport
