Volvo ReCharge
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 09. 6.07
So far we have had Chevy, Ford and Toyota showing off plug-in hybrids in various stages of production. Next up in the plug-in parade: Volvo. Volvo has already shown off its eco-chops with advances in fuel efficiency, creating a prototype that can run on five different fuels, and creating the world's first CO2-free auto plant. Volvo's ReCharge is the latest green car news from the company. Think of the ReCharge as an electric car first, and a hybrid second. For 60+ miles, the ReCharge will operate as a full electric vehicle, drawing power off the lithium-polymer battery. When the battery power lowers to 30%, the "four-cylinder Flexifuel engine" begins to charge the battery.
Performace-wise, the ReCharge stands up well to other plug-ins. On a 150km (93 mile) drive, the car is expected to get about 124mpg. Recharging? 3 hours for a full charge on a "regular" plug and enough juice to get you 30 miles on a one-hour charge. Need to zoom past those pokey Sunday drivers? How does a top speed of 100mph and 0-62mph in 9 seconds sound? The ReCharge also sports all-wheel drive, courtesy of the four wheel motors. From the press release:
With an individual electric motor at each wheel, weight distribution as well as mechanical efficiency and traction are maximised and the friction in mechanical gears is eliminated. Since the car does not have the transmission found in ordinary cars, there is no need for a gear lever.
All this, and reduced emissions - the ReCharge is expected (by company figures) to produce 66% less CO2 emmissions than the standard hybrid. Let's get this concept on the production line!
::Via AutoblogGreen
When can I buy one? I am sold! I have been waiting for an AWD hybrid. Living in Colorado and visiting my parents in Montana I need AWD in the winter. What Mass Transit you say? Yeah try to find Mass Transit to small towns in Montana.....Red Lodge, HA. Hopefully in the future. It is so much smarter to detatch the combustion engine from the rest of the car and charge the batteries with the engine...that way the engine can run at maximum efficiency when charging. Now if they only used a diesel engine hmmmm or maybe I could visit the local biomethane plant :)
Pay attention Toyata!
Yeah when can I buy one? If I start saving now, how much will I need to save. I love the concept. Now they've just got to make it work.
Every time I see the Chevy Volt or similar hybrid, makes me wonder if the gas engine can be removed and run as an electric only vehicle. It would make the vehicle lighter and use less energy in town, or allow for more batteries to be placed in the car. I guess anything is possible, but wonder if the computer control system will allow this or will it freak out and not run.
I don't understand why car companies keep making hybrids and not electric cars with a gas generator on board. If the cars is going to be mass produced it seems like there would be a lot less moving parts therefore cheaper to manufacture.
I read on "Dagens Nyheter" s homepage (the number one Swedish newspaper) that they won't have it out for at least 5 years. The batteries they need weighs 200 KG today. But they will try and make other environmentally friendlier versions of the C30 in the meanwhile.
The combustion engine in this car is diesel, I believe, and they (Volvo) have already been testing it in California at their research facility. Since it is based on an existing Volvo model, it should be able to reach production status quickly. The real question is....who will get it? My guess is Europe first with the U.S. close behind.
Real sweet. Safe and earth-friendly. I swear. Volvo doesn't get enough credit. Wasn't it also Volvo that had the engines that filtered the air as they drove?
Ford has another AWD hybrid, the Escape.
I'm somewhat jaded by the companies that show off the cure to our fossil fuel addiction. Are there any plug-in hybrids on the market today? I want one, but I don't live in California. (I'm willing to travel to get one and bring it home, though!)
I would buy one in a heart beat, my GF has been after a Volvo for ever but I always said "not until they have a hybrid" and for me I really wanted AWD for winter trips. The flexfuel, all electric mode and good looks are icing (but really thick gorgeous icing at that!) on the cake.
PS. The Ford Escape hybrid is a really poor substitute for this Volvo concept - poor fuel economy with AWD, actually not much room, had a lot of stability problems. Pity we'll probably have to wait three or four years to get the volvo...
PS. In Europe you can already buy a C30 1.6 Diesel that gets over 40MPG average and over 60MPG on the freeway... guess what C30 you get in the USA? Only the top end turbo that is in the low 20MPG range. Doh. Volvo is seriously missing out - they would be able to sell huge numbers of the 1.6D to eco minded folks who were not interested in a Prius.
PS. In Europe you can already buy a C30 1.6 Diesel that gets over 40MPG average and over 60MPG on the freeway... guess what C30 you get in the USA? Only the top end turbo that is in the low 20MPG range. Doh. Volvo is seriously missing out - they would be able to sell huge numbers of the 1.6D to eco minded folks who were not interested in a Prius.
You're right about its combined mileage -- 39 mpg. Highway mileage is more like 46 mpg, not 60+ mpg.
As for being "eco minded," the C30 diesel puts out too much NOx to meet year 2008 emission standards in the US, so it's hard to see how it would be considered a "green" vehicle, since a Prius puts out less than 1/7 the NOx and gets 7 more MPG. Also, since diesel puts out more CO2 per gallon than gasoline, the C30 emits 34% more CO2 than a Prius mile-for-mile.
Plus, they're similar prices and have similar performance.
I don't see why that vehicle would be a good addition to the choices in the US.
PS. In Europe you can already buy a C30 1.6 Diesel that gets over 40MPG average and over 60MPG on the freeway... guess what C30 you get in the USA? Only the top end turbo that is in the low 20MPG range. Doh. Volvo is seriously missing out - they would be able to sell huge numbers of the 1.6D to eco minded folks who were not interested in a Prius.
You're right about its combined mileage -- 39 mpg. Highway mileage is more like 46 mpg, not 60+ mpg.
As for being "eco minded," the C30 diesel puts out too much NOx to meet year 2008 emission standards in the US, so it's hard to see how it would be considered a "green" vehicle, since a Prius puts out less than 1/7 the NOx and gets 7 more MPG. Also, since diesel puts out more CO2 per gallon than gasoline, the C30 emits 34% more CO2 than a Prius mile-for-mile.
Plus, they're similar prices and have similar performance.
I don't see why that vehicle would be a good addition to the choices in the US.
Sorry, the NOx emissions are 14 times that of a Prius, it uses 14% more fuel, and has 24% higher CO2 emissions. It also puts out particulate matter and is louder.
Thank you! Thank you very, very much. Please contact me when it iis ready. I'll start telling my friends and family about the good news. I've been waiting for a vehicle like this since the idea of a vehicle like this was announced. What colors will it come in? Can I add a solar panel to the roof? How does it handle snow? Will the AC drain the battery?
I don't understand why car companies keep making hybrids and not electric cars with a gas generator on board.
Great idea. Oh wait. This is literally what the article describes.
they wont make "pure" electric cars because they cant make much money on them after they sell them. those cars require very low maintenance (almost nothing) and their working life is long. significant part of their profit is spare parts. so, the complicated the cars they manufacture, the more money they earn.
I disagree Tom; automotive dealers make money on service not the manufacturers. Nothing would make the manufacturers happier then if they could reduce their warranty work, warranty work that dealers and sticking to the manufacturers.
I disagree Tom; automotive dealers make money on service not the manufacturers. Nothing would make the manufacturers happier then if they could reduce their warranty work, warranty work that dealers and sticking to the manufacturers.
Bullshit until I see the production model, the car companies show us very nice concepts, but no car company has made a real electric car. This is wonderful concept though, the hub electric motors are the future, but as long as big oil is lobbing there's noting car manufacturers can do.