Volvo C30 BEV Released

Swedish carmaker Volvo released the company's new electric model, the so-called C30 BEV which is currently undergoing heavy testing for a possible launch in the next few years. The all-electric version of the C30 is currently on display at the Frankfurt Auto Show, with several prototypes developed by the company now in tests to help Volvo determine the best way to integrate the electric powertrain into the existing models.

The electric concept shares the same look with the regular C30 but obviously comes with major improvements of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Powered by a lithium-ion 24 kWh battery pack, the car is capable for traveling for around 93 miles (150 km) on a single charge. The maximum speed is limited to 80 mph (129 km/h), with the car going from standstill to sixty in 11 seconds.

In case the batteries get fully depleted, the restoration process takes up to eight hours.

“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," Paul Gustavsson, director of electrification strategy at Volvo, said. “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.”

There are no production plans at this point because, as we said, the company is just aiming to find a solution to fit the electric powertrain on some of its current models.