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