Volvo has shown off an all-electric version of the C30, the BEV.
The Volvo C30 BEV is being evaluated for a launch within the next few years as the Swedish firm develops the integration of the electric propulsion system within its existing models.
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Volvo launched a C30 Drive at the Frankfurt motor show this week, with CO2 emissions of 99g/km, and has also said it will launch a plug-in hybrid version of the C30 by 2012.
Several C30 BEV prototypes have been produced by Volvo and it is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. As the C30 BEV runs purely on electricity, its battery has a larger capacity of 24kwh compared to the 12kwh battery found in the plug-in hybrid.
The range of the C30 BEV is 93 miles and it is limited to a top speed of 80mph. It can get from 0-62mph in less than 11secs and a full recharge from a standard household power supply will take up to eight hours.
Paul Gustavsson, director of electrification strategy at Volvo, said: “The consumer must feel that this type of car is attractive both to drive and own. In order to ensure this, we feel that electric cars will have to be as comfortable and safe and offer similar levels of performance as cars with other power sources.
“The learning from the C30 BEV project will help us to fulfill all these criteria's and showcase Volvo's determination to drive developments in the field of electrification.”
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