Volvo has announced that it is working with Göteborg Energi on electric vehicle development and related recharging infrastructure with Volvo delivering 10 100% electric C30s by autumn 2010. The initial model will be a test bed for future Volvo electric cars and will feature a lithium ion battery system capable of powering the C30 for 150kms on a single charge with a top speed of 130kmph. Volvo states that the recharge time for a fully depleted battery will be ~8 hours and that the 150km range will be more than enough for 90% of Europeans daily commute.

The C30 looks a little like the new Honda CR-Z Hybrid and depending on the price point of the eventual electric Volvo they could find themselves competing directly against each other. The CR-Z will get a leg up on any potential competition though as when it is released in the US this Autumn it’ll be the only sports car hybrid on the market, all indications are at this stage that it’ll do very well indeed, especially if we see oil prices continue to climb. That said, the lure of a 100% electric car like the eC30 is a very strong draw card for many people, one need only look at the staggering pre-orders for the Nissan Leaf to see that most automotive manufacturers have seriously underestimated the market for pure electric cars.

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Full press release is below.

Official Volvo Press Release

Source: EVWorldwire

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Class: EVWORLDWIRE

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SYNOPSIS: First of 30 electric cars to begin deliver Fall 2010.

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Volvo Cars and energy company Göteborg Energi yesterday signed a letter of intent regarding cooperation in the area of electrical vehicles and recharge infrastructure. Within the terms of the agreement Volvo provides ten Volvo C30 Electric cars with delivery start during the autumn.

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“This is a landmark first step,” says Lennart Stegland, director of the Volvo Car Corporation’s Special Vehicles division.

The Volvo C30 Electric project has attracted immense international attention. Volvo Cars has received visits from many potential overseas customers, but the first confirmed user is Swedish.

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“Ten cars will be delivered starting this autumn. The Volvo C30 Electric is a natural part of our focus on DRIVe products, with the aim of promoting a sustainable society. We are happy with the cooperation with Göteborg Energi. What is more, it’s happening in Volvo’s home town of Göteborg,” says Lennart Stegland.

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The cars in the demo fleet are equipped with advanced measuring instruments. It is important for Volvo Cars to build up additional know-how about how parameters such as driving habits and charging patterns affect the battery and its lifetime in the electric car.

The Volvo C30 Electric has the same safety, comfort and interior space as the standard Volvo C30. The difference is that the C30 Electric is powered solely by electricity – so it has absolutely no exhaust emissions on the road.

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If the car is recharged using electricity from renewable sources, travel is virtually free from carbon dioxide emissions. The range is up to 150 km on a single battery charge.

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“That’s way further than 90 percent of commuters in Europe cover on a daily basis. The car could be used for the average family’s everyday commuting needs,” says Lennart Stegland.

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The Volvo C30 Electric is powered by a lithium-ion battery that is charged from a regular mains power socket. A completely depleted battery takes about eight hours to recharge.

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The car has a top speed of about 130 kilometres per hour and accelerates from zero to one hundred in 10.5 seconds. Volvo Cars’ electric car project currently encompasses about 250 vehicles.

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“However, with more customers we would of course be able to expand our production series,” says Lennart Stegland.

Electric cars are the future

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He is convinced that electric cars will gain a major foothold in the market.

“By 2020 about 5-10 percent of cars in Sweden are expected to be electric. By 2020-2025 we believe that electric cars will account for 3-10 percent of the market share in the EU countries. Different markets have different preconditions,” adds Lennart Stegland.

Göteborg Energi comments the letter of intent signing and the cooperation with Volvo Cars to build its first ten electric cars as follows:

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“We believe in the future of the electric car and are extremely proud that we will be the first recipients of electric vehicles from Volvo Cars. We work to promote a sustainable society in Göteborg so to participate in the development of new infrastructure for safe electric cars and cooperate with Volvo Cars at such an early stage feels absolutely right,” explains Anders Hedenstedt, President of Göteborg Energi.

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