Volvo ReCharge Concept in the quest for a greener earth

Today, Volvo is not just concerned with providing safety in the vehicles they produce. The Swedish automaker is also working towards a greener earth. And so, as part of their move towards more environment-friendly products the automaker is set to feature its ReCharge concept car at the Tokyo Motor Show at the end of this month.

Volvo will highlight safety through preventative safety systems like AlcoGuard, of which prevents driving under the influence of alcohol. But, above it, Volvo will feature its environmentally friendly cars and engines as part of its Tokyo programme. Up to date, Volvo already offered five different models that run in Flexifuel engines to form part of the Flexifuel programme in Sweden. Such program is in goal to provide environmentally clean transport at present and in the near future.

Volvo also has long-term vision, which includes making a substantial contribution to the drive for clean energy. At the Tokyo Motor Show, the presence of the president of Volvo Car Corporation Fredrik Arp and design director Steve Mattin will be significant as they will be the ones elaborating the on going clean and green. Along with them coming are various members of the Volvo Cars management team and experts, which will also be talking on the topics of safety. They will also provide an environmental car for the media – the ReCharge concept car.

The ReCharge concept car is a plug-in hybrid with electric wheel motors powered by batteries of which can be recharged through regular power outlets. Such concept combines a couple of the latest technological innovations of Volvo to form a “series hybrid”. With this car there will be no mechanical connection between the engine and the wheels. The lithium-polymer technology battery pack is being integrated into the boot, powering the four electric motors, one at each wheel. Volvo claims that the ReCharge vehicle is made able to drive 100 km on battery power alone before the 1.6 L four-cylinder FlexiFuel engine takes over, powering the car and recharging the battery.

According to an article in cartoday.com, “The combustion engine starts up automatically when 70 percent of the battery power has been depleted, but the driver may control the FlexiFuel engine manually via a button in the instrument panel.” Such process permits the driver in starting the engine earlier. That is to maximize the battery charge, which would efficiently function while driving on the freeway to save power for city driving.

Volvo ReCharge Concept Project Manager Ichiro Sugioka said, “There is a considerable difference between our plug-in hybrid and today’s hybrids. Today’s hybrids use the battery only for short periods to assist the combustion engine.”

“Our solution is designed for most people to run on electric power all the time, while providing the extra security that comes with having a combustion engine as a secondary source of electrical power,” he added, "What is more, our C30 with plug-in hybrid technology retains its lively and sporty driving properties. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h takes 9 seconds and top speed is 160 km/h.”

The ReCharge is said to be ideal for those people who cover less than 100 km/h daily, wherein the round trip is entirely battery-charged and fuel consumption is a non-existent zero liters per 100 km. But, drivers who cover more than the 100 km range could also feel the benefits from the ReCharge Concept. That is since after the full battery charge, a 150 km tip will only require 2.8 L of fuel.

Manus Jonsson, Senior Vice President of Research and Development at Volvo Cars, said, “The only requirement is that the car owner has access to electrical outlets at convenient places, such as at home or at the workplace. A full recharge takes 3 hours. However, even a one-hour quick charge should provide enough charge to drive about 50 kilometers.”

This is a highly impressive innovation so far for customers who feel the pressure of the rapid increase in fuel price. Will these car make it to mass production? We'll have to wait and see.