The 2011 Geneva Motor Show, Volvo Cars is unveiling the Volvo V60 plug-in hybrid - almost ready for emissions of carbon dioxide production of the car less than 50 g / km. The plug-in hybrid, which will be launched in 2012, is the result of close cooperation between Volvo and the Swedish energy company Vattenfall.
"No one sector or organization can tackle the climate challenge alone. Our mission is to develop a carbon-lean car, but a sustainable future must be created with the whole society. This project shows how collaboration between experts in different sectors, we bring you closer to the transition from individual thin carbon products are time-smart lifestyle, "said Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO of Volvo Cars.
In January 2007, Volvo Cars and Vattenfall has launched an industry association, whose objective was to test and develop the technology for plug-in. The cross border initiative led to the creation of a jointly owned company - Association V2 plug-in hybrid vehicles
Half of all CO2 emissions, driving pleasure Full
Development work was jointly funded. Now the project is about to introduce the plug-in market first diesel hybrid. This is an attractive type of car that gives the user access to the best properties of both an electric car and a vehicle diesel fuel consumption and low CO2 levels, combined with a long range and high performance .
". An important aspect of the project was to keep Volvo V60 driving pleasure exceptionally high standard of safety and comfort luxury Simultaneously, the average CO2 emissions and fuel consumption will be reduced by half compared to what is available on the market TODAY "Today," said Stefan Jacoby, adding:
Fuel costs less
When powered solely by electricity, the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid has a range of up to 50 km. The range of cars that operate a total of 1200 km. Emissions of carbon dioxide will be an average of 49 grams per km (European combined cycle) and fuel consumption of 1.9 liters per 100 km.
The cost of the battery means that the plug-in hybrid will be more expensive to buy a Volvo V60 with a conventional combustion engine. In addition, fuel costs will be one third compared to a conventional combustion engine. The operating cost of electricity in Sweden is estimated at about $ 2.50 for every 10 km. The exact price varies from one market to another.
The electricity has many advantages
Electrification of the transport sector is an important step in combating climate change. Electricity is a very beneficial fuel:
An electric motor is almost four times more efficient than the normal combustion engine. This means that an electric car consumes less energy and therefore produce fewer emissions, despite being fed a mixture of sources, including electricity from fossil fuels.
European electricity production emissions. This means that even if all vehicles were electric, electricity production in itself does not produce carbon dioxide. This output is gradually lowered over time.
Emissions from exhaust million is transferred to a small number of plants that are easier to control and operate on the basis of the exchange of EU emissions, something that does not apply to transport today.
Electric cars use relatively little power and increased consumption will more than offset by the ambitious expansion plans for renewable energy throughout Europe. Wind power a simple example, produces enough renewable energy to power 3,000 electric vehicles. Vattenfall will offer buyers of plug-in hybrid is a contract, including electricity from renewable sources.
The rapid expansion of renewable electricity generation
Electricity production is growing rapidly. Wind energy is widely marketed and continues to grow, biofuel will replace fossil fuels on a broad front, wave energy is expected to enter commercial service within ten years, and new technologies to capture emissions of CO2 from coal power plants are currently under development.
Volvo, the work progresses, the Volvo V60 plug-in hybrid in parallel with the development of the Volvo C30 Electric, which runs entirely on electricity.
"These two types of cars are complementary. Plug-in hybrid vehicle driver is completely independent of the load points when driving long distances. The future of electric-car market, both with an all-electric cars and plug-in hybrids," said Stefan Jacoby.
