<<BACK TO PREVIOUS

Volvo leads Sweden's research on plug-in hybrids

Volvo Cars has announced it is forming a research partnership with Saab, electricity supplier Vatterfall, ETC and the Swedish state to develop technology for plug-in hybrid vehicles. The research will be concentrated in Sweden.

A fleet of 10 plug-in hybrids will be produced that can be recharged directly from the mains.

Volvo president and CEO Fredrik Arp said: “I see this project as a positive further development of sustainable personal transport. We have a unique opportunity to take the lead when it comes to innovations for advanced green-car technology.”

“We want to be involved in setting up the rules for the future and to help build up broad-based competence in Sweden in this vital area,” Arp said.

Over a five-year period, Volvo is to invest just over 11 billion SEK (€1.16 billion) in developments aimed at reducing fuel consumption and emissions. 2008 will see the launch of car models that release less than 120 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre.

Volvo is also focusing intensively on hybrid technology. In the medium term the company will introduce hybrid variants where an electric motor supports the combustion engine. In the longer term, plug-in hybrids will be introduced. One example of this was presented in autumn 2007 with the Volvo C30 ReCharge concept, which can cut emissions of carbon dioxide by about 65 per cent compared with hybrid cars on the market today.

[BACK TO TOP]