We earlier told you about the green initiatives Volvo is taking by introducing ‘Green Trucks’. The company is back again and this time, they want their cars to go greener. The company has introduced a new line of hybrid cars that can take you 100 Km on a single charge.
The concept known as the Volvo ReCharge is a plug-in hybrid with individual electric wheel motors and batteries that can be recharged via a regular outlet. The concept makes its debut in a specially designed Volvo C30 at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The best feature of the car is its hybrid engine, so you don’t have to worry about your commuted distance as if the batteries run out of juice you can still continue your journey on the cars internal combustion engine. The company also claims that the car is a boon for about 80% drivers in the USA who commute less than 100 Kms each day as they may never need to visit the filling station.
While the car is running on its batteries its operating costs are expected to be about 80% lower than that of a petrol powered car, similarly it emits about 66% less carbon dioxide compared with the best hybrid cars available in the market today.
The concept also makes use of several breathtaking technologies that should lure many customers towards it. The cars developed will incorporate a so-called ‘Series Hybrid’ where there is no mechanical connection between the engine and the wheels. The lithium-polymer batteries required to run the car are packed into the luggage compartment. These batteries are then connected to four electric motors that are further connected to the wheels, hence providing independent traction power.
When the batteries run out of charge, an efficient Auxiliary Power Unit or APU, steps in to keep the adequate driving performance intact. The APU is directly powered by the combustion engine which enables the car to run at optimal fashion, both for regulated emissions and CO2.
The APU is automatically deployed when the batteries have drained more than 70% of their juice. However, for more power-driven drivers the company has done a great job by introducing a manual control panel from where drivers can switch to the combustion engine even if the batteries are laden with power.
The concept by no means has made the cars slow as the company’s C30 has a top speed of 160 km/h and can go from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 9 seconds.
Check out the image gallery of this amazing car below.
Via: Best Super Cars
