Volvo Tests Viability of the C30 BEV

Swedish carmaker Volvo is currently evaluating the viability of introducing an entirely electric-powered car known as a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) on the market, after already announcing a plug-in hybrid for 2012. In 2009, a small number of prototype versions of the C30 BEV have been built and tested internally by Volvo.

"The Volvo C30 is the first model we will try out with electric power. This car's excellent properties in city traffic and its relatively low weight make it particularly suitable, since electric cars are primarily expected to be used in and around cities and for daily commuting," says Lennart Stegland, Director of Volvo Cars Special Vehicles.

The Volvo C30 BEV is powered by a Lithium-Ion battery that is charged via a regular power socket found in most households. The electric motor is housed under the bonnet, just like the engine in a conventional car. Since the car runs solely on electricity, it requires a larger battery with higher capacity (24 kWh) than in the case of the plug-in hybrid (12 kWh).

The C30 BEV is limited to a top speed of about 130 km/h, while acceleration from a naught to 100 km/h will take less than 11 seconds. The car will have a range of up to 150 km.

"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 and showcase Volvo's determination to drive developments in the field of electrification," said Paul Gustavsson, Director of Electrification Strategy at Volvo Cars.

A Volvo C30 BEV prototype was presented at the 2009 IAA, but the production-ready electric version of the C30 model will first be introduced next week at the 2010 NAIAS.