Volvo Goes All-Electric with C30 BEV Prototypes

In addition to the market introduction of a diesel-electric plug-in hybrid in 2012 (details here), Volvo is also working on a pure electric model with the C30 BEV, which stands for 'Battery Electric Vehicle". The Swedish automaker has built a small number of prototype versions of the C30 BEV that will are to be tested internally by Volvo to evaluate the vehicle in real-life conditions with much of the focus being on the integration of the electric propulsion system with the rest of the car.

"The Volvo C30 is the first model we will try out with electric power. This car's excellent properties in city traffic and its relatively low weight make it particularly suitable, since electric cars are primarily expected to be used in and around cities and for daily commuting," says Lennart Stegland, Director of Volvo Cars Special Vehicles.

The C30 BEV is powered by an electric motor housed under the hood that drives the front wheel. Energy is provided by a 24kW Lithium-Ion battery that can be fully charged through a regular 230V household socket in about eight hours.

Volvo says that the all-electric C30 accelerates from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in less than 11 seconds while the vehicle's top speed has been limited to around 130km/h (80mph). The car has a driving range of up to 150 kilometres or 93 miles, which Volvo claims is "longer and far better than the distance 90 percent of all Europe's motorists drive per day."

The Swedish automaker said that while the company's main focus over the next years will be plug-in hybrids, they will assess the viability of all-electric vehicles. According to the company, the are several factors that will determine the success or not of dedicated electric cars.

"The consumer must feel that this type of car is attractive both to drive and own," says Paul Gustavsson, Director of Electrification Strategy at Volvo Cars.

"In order to ensure this, we feel that electric cars will have to be as comfortable and safe and offer similar levels of performance as cars with other power sources. The learning from the C30 BEV project will help us to fulfill all these criteria and showcase Volvo's determination to drive developments in the field of electrification."

Renault Zoe Z.E.: Funky All Electric Supermini Bows in Frankfurt

Proving that electric cars can be fun, at least in theory, Renault took the wraps off its second all-electric showcar in Frankfurt after the Fluence Z.E, the Zoe Z.E. which is a compact-sized, four seater supermini with scissor doors at the front and butterfly doors at the rear. The funky looking French concept is motivated by a 70kW / 93 horsepower electric motor with the lithium-ion batteries promising to offer a driving range of around 100 miles or 160 kilometers.

The Zoe Z.E. also gets massive 21-inch alloy wheels and a retractable rear spoiler for greater aerodynamic efficiency while the photovoltaic cells on the rooftop recover solar energy to power the climate control system that has been co-developed with L'Oréa and features 'hydrating', 'detox' and 'active scent' spray functions -all for the sake of beauty...

Frankfurt Show: Renault Fluence Z.E. Electric Sedan Concept

Renault revealed a total of four electric vehicle concept cars in Frankfurt including the two-seater Twizy Z.E. mini, the Zoe Z.E. small coupe, the Kangoo Z.E. and the Fluence Z.E. ompact sedan. All of the prototype models use similar technology to the Nissan Leaf EV that was uncovered this past summer. According to Renault, all four cars preview the firm's electric vehicle range which will be released from 2011. One of the first models to be launched into the market will be the electric version of the recently revealed Fluence sedan.

However, unlike its production sibling with the same designation, the Fluence Z.E. concept actually looks pretty good - yes, far too good to make it into production looking like this...

The concept model is equipped with a 70kW or 95HP electric motor that is powered by a set of lithium-ion batteries that give the saloon 100 miles / 160 kilometers driving range.

Renault says that the battery can be charged using three different methods: a standard charge that takes between four and eight hours, a quick charge which is done in only 20 minutes or alternitavely, through the automated 'Quickdrop' system that removes and replaces the batteries in just three minutes.

VW E-Up!: All-Electric "Beetle of the 21st Century" Concept Previews 2013 Production Model

As a world premiere, VW is presenting the fourth consecutive concept model of the Up! family at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt. This time, the Germans opted for a three-door version powered by an 80Hp electric motor that drives the front wheels. Bypassing VW's overly ambitious claims for the "Beetle of the 21st Century", what makes the E-Up! important is that the Germans plan to put a similar version into production two years after the launch of the conventional members of the Up! family in 2011.

Measuring 3.19 meters in length, 1.64 meters in width and 1.47 meters in height with a wheelbase of 2.19 meters, E-Up! concept is smaller than a Fiat 500. However, VW's designers managed to squeeze in 3+1 seats which means the front passenger seat is positioned 50 mm forward, thanks to the instruments being pushed further up front.

The mini's rear seat backrest is split 40/60. With the backrest on the driver's side folded down (that's the 40 percent section), stowage capacity is increased from 85 to 180 liters while with both seats down, capacity grows to 320 liters.

The E-Up! is motivated by an electric motor that can deliver a peak output of 60kW / 80Hp and a constant 40kW / 53Hp, along with a maximum torque of 210Nm (154 lb-ft). VW says that the E-Up! can hit 50km/h (31mph) from standstill in 3.5 seconds and 100km/h (62mph) in 11.3 seconds while the mini's top speed is 135km/h (84mph).

Energy is provided by a lithium-ion battery pack with a capacity of 18kWh that weighs in at 240 kg (530 lbs). The car's total weight including the batteries is 1,085 kg (2,392 lbs).

Volkswagen reckons that a full recharge of the batteries at a 230V household plug would take a maximum of five hours while at a charging station, an 80 percent charge could be achieved within an hour.

The E-Up! is also equipped with solar cells on the roof that not only supply energy to the car's electrical system, but furthermore help to cool the interior when the vehicle is parked by supplying energy to the ventilation system.