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