Volvo to Introduce Plug In Hybrid Diesel in 2012

The Volvo Motor Company knows what they are doing. They are taking an existing vehicle platform, the V70 and converting it into a serial plug in hybrid vehicle capable of 31 miles all electric range. Instead of trying to reinvent the wheel like Chevy has done with the Volt, Volvo is taking a much easier route and will put a great product on the road. Of course, the added bonus here is the use of a long lasting diesel engine.

From Green Car Congress:

PHEV battery pack in V70 demonstrator without damage after a full scale rear crash test. Click to enlarge.

Volvo Car Corporation is postponing its plans to produce a full hybrid based on a diesel engine and instead will introduce a series-produced plug-in diesel hybrid (PHEV) in Europe as early as 2012. The plug-in will support up to a 50 km (31 mile) all-electric range—sufficient to cover the daily transport needs of 75% of European drivers. For longer distances, the diesel automatically takes over. The combined range is about 1,200 kilometers (746 miles). Carbon dioxide emissions will average out at 49 g/km, with fuel consumption of 1.9 liters per 100 km (124 mpg US), according to the NEDC certification driving cycle.

The strategy that Volvo is adopting to start series-producing plug-in cars as early as 2012 is to exploit existing architecture for major components such as the body and engine. The company says it is saving time by installing the battery and electric motor beside a conventional driveline instead of waiting for an entirely new generation of car models.

The diesel engine will be optimized to run on renewable synthetic diesel, and will meet future exhaust emission requirements. The diesel engine can be run separately or in combination with the electric motor for optimal power and energy utilization. For example, the diesel engine can support or replace electric power at high speeds or when the battery charge drops, while the electric motor can offer additional torque at low engine revs.

A V70 plug-in hybrid demonstrator. The series-production PHEVs will feature “somewhat different” technology. Click to enlarge.

V70 PHEV Demonstrators. In January 2007, Volvo Cars and energy supplier Vattenfall launched a joint project with the aim of testing and developing plug-in technology. A new company was founded, V2 Plug-in-Hybrid Vehicle Partnership, as a result of this initiative.

The partners put three Volvo V70 PHEV demonstration cars on the road in the summer of 2009. These will combine a front-wheel drive diesel engine with a rear-wheel drive electric motor, powered by an 11.3 kWh Li-ion battery pack, of which 8 kWh is usable. The car will support both residential charging (approx. five hours) as well as a 32A fast charge. (Earlier post.) Volvo Car Corporation has selected lithium-ion battery systems designed and produced by Ener1, Inc. for the plug-in demo cars. (Earlier post.)

When announcing the V70 PHEV demonstrators, Volvo indicated that the cars planned to go into series production in 2012 will feature “somewhat different” technology.

The purchase price of a plug-in hybrid is expected to be considerably higher than for a conventional diesel car since the batteries are still expensive, says Volvo. Fuel costs on electric power will be about one-third compared with driving on diesel, and this partially compensates for the higher purchase price. Volvo Cars assesses that plug-in hybrids will be commercially viable for certain customer categories in 2012, gradually widening in appeal as battery price and performance continuously improve.

We are focusing strongly on plug-in hybrids in order to meet the demands for low CO₂ emissions and to provide sustainable road transportation. We naturally expect that the relevant authorities will offer subsidies to boost developments, speeding up the creation of a market for this type of car.

—Stephen Odell, President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation

Volvo’s dealers will offer customers who buy a plug-in hybrid a special contract for the supply of renewable energy. This agreement has been created in cooperation with the company’s partner, Swedish electricity supplier Vattenfall.