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2011 Volvo C30 BEV
Volvo presented a driveable electric car prototype in September 2009. The 2011 Volvo C30 BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) now being shown at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit takes the company one step further in the development process. It features both a complete interior and full instrumentation, as well as enhanced battery packaging.
“The first prototype helped us identify the main technological challenges, such as battery packaging and safety issues. We have addressed these challenges without compromising the Volvo C30′s cool and fun-to-drive personality. I am very happy with the result. The electric Volvo C30 BEV in Detroit is a much more complete product,” says Lennart Stegland, Director of Volvo Cars Special Vehicles.
The next step in 2010 is a factory-built series of test cars. Selected users will drive the test fleet during a two-year trial period in order to provide Volvo Cars with valuable experience. Not just technical but also behavioural.
The electric C30 looks like a regular 2011 Volvo C30 BEV and it offers the very same safety, comfort and roominess as the standard car. The most obvious difference inside the car is the new instruments facing the driver. The gauges and graphics are somewhat different to those in a conventional Volvo. The cool and user-friendly combined instrument shows in principle only road speed and energy consumption. However, it also integrates a number of new symbols such as a gauge for battery charge status and other relevant information for this type of vehicle.
The driving experience is also different to that in a conventional car. The electric 2011 Volvo C30 BEV has no gears and the motor’s power is delivered seamlessly, with full power available immediately. “Sailing along virtually without a sound is a very special experience. The power is there instantaneously. We need to spend a lot of time verifying a transmission system that is both comfortable and safe for the driver to handle and at the same time utilizes the battery’s capacity optimally at different speeds,” says Lennart Stegland.
