Wheels

By: ROBINSON/BEINTEMA AUTOFILES

Together with electricity provider Vattenfall, Saab Automobile, ETC and the Swedish state, Volvo Car Corporation is launching a joint broad-based research venture to develop technology in the area of plug-in hybrid cars.

Sweden will be the arena for the field tests.

The aim of the project, which is being carried out jointly by Volvo Car Corporation, Saab Automobile, Vattenfall and ETC, is to develop and demonstrate the next-generation hybrid cars. A fleet of 10 plug-in hybrids will be produced that can be recharged directly from the wall socket.

Over a five-year period, Volvo will invest just over 11 billion SEK in development aimed at reducing fuel consumption and emissions. Volvo already offers its customers one of the industry's widest ranges of Flexifuel engines.

In parallel the company is continuing to enhance the efficiency of its gasoline- and diesel-powered cars. 2008 will see the launch of car models that release less than 120 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre.

Volvo is also focusing on hybrid technology. In the medium term the company will introduce hybrid variants where an electric motor supports the combustion engine.

In the longer term, plug-in hybrids will be introduced. One example of this was presented in autumn 2007 with the Volvo C30 ReCharge Concept. Used in the most effective way, this concept car cuts emissions of carbon dioxide by about 65 percent compared with the hybrid cars available on the market today.

And if the electricity comes from CO2-sustainable sources such as hydropower and wind power, this figure improves still further.

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