Volvo C30 Electric (BEV) for Detroit

Volvo are taking the electric C30 to the Detroit Motor Show.

Volvo had a little tease about the electric version of the C30 EV (or Battery Electric Vehicle) back in September. They rolled out a bit of a ‘Wish-List’ of what they’d like it to be able to do, but there was no real car and not a huge chance it was going anywhere much. Except its is; to the Detroit Motor Show next month.

Which means that despite – or perhaps because – 0f the still uncertain future for Volvo (although the Geely buys Volvo thing should play out very soon) Volvo has managed to push the C30 BEV forward a lot more than seemed likely a few months ago. It is now a real car, with a real interior and real instruments. It will be driven by an electric motor that delivers 111 horses and offers a full recharge in about eight hours. Top speed is 80mph and 0-60mph around 10.5 seconds. It ain’t going to set the roads on fire, but as an urban runaround it’s enough.

Volvo is planning on building 50 Volvo C30 BEVs and to start trials in 2011. Paul Gustavsson, Director of Electrification Strategy at Volvo Cars, said:

“We believe in this technology and our field test aims to demonstrate that electric cars have considerable market potential. However, offering an attractive car is not enough. What is also needed initially is a system of subsidies to make the electric car’s expensive battery technology financially viable for the car buyers. We hope that the authorities and the rest of the society will follow Volvo Cars in our “Drive Towards Zero” – Volvo Cars’ journey towards zero emissions.”

In other words, it works but it costs an arm and a leg to make so no one will buy it. But id we prove it works and can persuade a subsidy or two from somewhere then we’re up an running.

Well, it’s a plan. And if all else fails they can use it as the next Volvo in the New Moon films. It could be the ‘Stealth’ version. Handy for sneaking around with no noise.

By Cars UK