| Almost all the cars that had its debut in the Frankfurt | | | | been used up. |
| Auto show goes with its focus of Green car | | | | "There is a considerable difference between our |
| technology: low-emission diesels, fresh hybrids, and | | | | plug-in hybrid and today's hybrids. Today's hybrids use |
| hydrogen fuel cells. The Volvo Recharge concept | | | | the battery only for short periods to assist the |
| vehicle is one clear icon. The Recharge is built with a | | | | combustion engine. Our solution is designed for most |
| battery that can be recharged in a common electrical | | | | people to run on electric power all the time, while |
| outlet to promote maximum environmental benefit. | | | | providing the extra security that comes with having a |
| Only that, this battery can only run a maximum of 100 | | | | combustion engine as a secondary source of electrical |
| meters and then shifted to the four-cylinder Flexiful | | | | power," says Ichiro Sugioka, project manager for the |
| engine. | | | | Volvo ReCharge Concept. |
| "A certain proportion of electrical vehicles will be | | | | Also according to Sugioka, the Volvo ReCharge |
| necessary to meet the CO2 emission demands of the | | | | concept has its lively and sporty driving properties, it |
| future. Since the Volvo ReCharge Concept combines | | | | accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 9 seconds and can |
| an excellent battery range with a backup combustion | | | | reach the top speed of 160 km/h. Inside, the cabin is |
| engine, it is a very interesting concept," says Magnus | | | | equipped with interior auto parts (like auto floor mats) |
| Jonsson, Senior Vice President Research and | | | | meant to give the passengers a comfortable ride. |
| Development at Volvo Cars. | | | | "This is a ground-breaking innovation for sustainable |
| The Recharge is product of a combination of a | | | | transportation. A person driving less than 100 |
| number of the latest technological innovations called | | | | kilometres a day will rarely need to visit a filling station. |
| "series hybrid" making no mechanical connection | | | | In the USA, this may apply to almost 80 percent of |
| between the engine and the wheels. The battery pack | | | | drivers," says Magnus Jonsson. |
| is a lithium-polymer battery. When the battery runs dry, | | | | The battery can be fully charged within three hours, |
| the four-cylinder 1.6 liter engine powers up. | | | | but a one hour quick charge can already reach 50 km |
| The hybrid system is also backed up by an efficient | | | | according to Jonsson. |
| generator, the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). It comes in | | | | "This plug-in hybrid car, when used as intended, should |
| when the battery runs short of power for the drive. | | | | have about 66 percent lower emissions of carbon |
| The driver controls the four-cylinder Flexifuel engine | | | | dioxide compared with the best hybrid cars available |
| manually by means of a button in the instrument panel. | | | | on the market today. Emissions may be even lower if |
| It allows the driver to start the engine earlier to prolong | | | | most of the electricity in intended markets comes from |
| the life of the battery. The internal combustion engine | | | | CO2-friendly sources such as biogas, hydropower and |
| starts if 70 percent of the battery power had already | | | | nuclear power," Jonsson added. |