Volvo C30 Electric: First Look

Jay Williams - 22/December/2009

Gothenburg, Sweden - Volvo Cars has further developed its C30 battery-powered electric vehicle prototype which will be launched at the Detroit Motor Show in January.

The Volvo C30 Electric Vehicle (EV) now features a complete interior and full instrumentation, enhanced battery packaging as well as a range of 150km on a single charge.

Volvo plans to release a fleet of 50 C30 EV vehicles that will be factory-built in 2010 and on the road from 2011. Selected users will drive the test fleet during a two-year trial period in order to provide Volvo Cars with valuable experience over variety of conditions.

A pure electric car has different characteristics compared to a car with an internal combustion engine. Now Volvo's experts will have the opportunity to study how users handle these variables.

"Our test fleet data will be valuable in Volvo Cars' development of electric cars. It will also provide crucial input for the infrastructure planners and help define which services are needed to make rechargeable cars the most attractive choice in the future," says Lennart Stegland.

The electric C30 looks like a regular Volvo C30 and it offers the same safety and comfort  as the standard car.

While, the most obvious difference inside the car is the new instruments panel. The gauges and graphics are quite different to those seen in a conventional Volvo. The instrument shows in principle only road speed and energy consumption. However, it also integrates a number of new symbols such as a gauge for battery charge and other relevant information for this type of vehicle.

The driving experience is also different to that in a conventional car. The electric C30 has no gears and the motor's power is delivered seamlessly, with full power available immediately.

The Volvo C30 shown in Detroit is powered by Lithium-Ion batteries that can be recharged via either a regular household power socket or special roadside charging stations. It takes about eight hours to fully charge the battery.

Top speed with a fully charged battery pack is about 130km/h. Acceleration from 0-100km/h takes less than 11 seconds. The car's range is up to 150 km.

The electric motor is fitted under the bonnet while the batteries (24 kWh) are installed in the propeller shaft tunnel and in the space normally occupied by the fuel tank, outside the passenger compartment and away from the deformations zones.

"What is more, they are well encapsulated and the structure around them has been reinforced. Electric cars represent yet another interesting challenge in our dedication to building the world's safest cars. An electrically powered Volvo must be as safe as all other new Volvos. And the very same standards also apply to ownership, driving and protection in the event of an accident," says Thomas Broberg, Senior Safety Advisor at Volvo Cars.

When it comes to electric-only cars, there are several factors that determine their appeal in the future. Consumers must feel that this type of car is attractive, comfortable, safe and offer the same sort of performance as an internal combustion engine.

Technical specification Electric C30
Car model: Volvo C30 - full four seater
Main engine: Electric engine  40/82KW
Power output: Electric engine  82kW, 111 bhp
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 10.5 seconds
Charging duration: Charging via standard power socket, 230 V, 16 ampere: 8 hours
Range on electric power: 150 km (NEDC cycle)
Battery energy content: 24  kWh nominal energy, of which  22.7 kWh used to power the car
Battery weight: 280 kg
Carbon dioxide emissions (tailpipe): none

Related Links:
- Volvo and Vattenfall: New Plug-in Hybrid (2012)
- Volvo XC60 (2008)
- Volvo ReCharge Concept (2007)
- Volvo V70 (2007)
- Volvo XC60 (concept)
- Volvo Bioethanol 'Flexifuel' Cars (2007)
- Volvo C30 - The Turbocharged Troika (2006)
- Volvo C30 (2007)
- Volvo S80 (2006)