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Together with electricity provider
Vattenfall, Saab Automobile, ETC and the Swedish state, Volvo Car
Corporation is launching a joint broad-based research venture to develop
spearhead technology in the area of plug-in hybrid cars. Sweden will be
the arena for the field tests. “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,” says Fredrik
Arp, President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation.
The aim of the project, which is being
carried out jointly by Volvo Car Corporation, Saab Automobile,
Vattenfall and ETC, is to develop and demonstrate the next-generation
hybrid cars. A fleet of 10 plug-in hybrids will be produced that can be
recharged directly from the mains wall socket.
Volvo has long experience of
cooperation with a variety of society’s actors and with this project the
company aims to participate in and shape decisions and initiatives that
are taken both within and outside the car industry.
“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,” says Fredrik Arp.
Over a five-year period, Volvo will
invest just over 11 billion SEK in development aimed at reducing fuel
consumption and emissions. Volvo already offers its customers one of the
industry’s widest ranges of Flexifuel engines. In parallel the company
is continuing to enhance the efficiency of its petrol- and
diesel-powered cars. 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. Used in
the most effective way, this concept car cuts emissions of carbon
dioxide by about 65 percent compared with the hybrid cars available on
the market today. And if the electricity comes from CO2-sustainable
sources such as hydropower and windpower, this figure improves still
further.
“Within the next decade, electric
vehicles are going to be needed if we are to meet forthcoming CO2
legislation,” says Fredrik Arp. |
