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What is it? The ReCharge concept car made its North American debut in Los Angeles, quietly revealing intriguing technology in a convention center filled with “Greener than thou” presentations. Based on the C30, this Volvo is a plug-in hybrid teamed with a four-cylinder flex-fuel engine. The configuration positions the ReCharge as an electric vehicle with an on-board generator.
The hybrid system sees a motor at each corner, enabling all-wheel drive. A lithium-polymer battery pack is fitted to the luggage compartment and it reportedly provides about 60 miles of pure-electric driving. Volvo estimates that 60 percent of drivers travel no further on a typical day. The 1.6-liter engine kicks in with the battery power has been drained to 70 percent, though there is a manual override to allow the driver to plan the best usage for the electric energy. For example, recharging the car on the highway could prepare it to run electric in an urban setting where the system would be most efficient. Volvo says the effective fuel economy is 124 mpg, and a full plug-in recharge takes three hours.
What is new and notable? Because it is a series hybrid, meaning the engine does not power the car itself, the drivetrain is quite flexible for adapting to a vehicle. This less-obvious benefit would allow the hybrid system to be integrated in the range of existing and near-future Volvo product without significant impact on vehicle design. Volvo is actively developing this system with production intent, and like other automakers, cites battery technology as the largest hurtle.
CR’s take: We expect to see a lot more plug-in hybrid concept vehicles from the automakers in the very near future. And this is beginning to look like the obvious next step for primetime green-vehicle technology.
When will it be available? Possibly by 2010.
Consumer Reports New cars: A to Z
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