Volvo's ReCharge plug-in hybrid concept: this time it's for serious

We were totally digging Volvo's ReCharge plug-in hybrid concept when they were showing it off last year at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but unfortunately it wasn't much more than a cutaway demonstration model at that point. Lucky for us, Volvo decided to take it legit, and built a full-on working concept model of the Volvo C30-based car. The company is teamed up with Saab in a five-year plan to develop plug-in hybrids, and they're currently planning a fleet of 10 cars to be tested in Sweden. Volvo plans to announce a hybrid version of one or more existing models within the next five years, but they're certainly playing it safe -- though the lithium-polymer batteries and in-wheel electric motors might prove them otherwise.

[Via Crave]

[greg @ Mar 14th 2008 5:10PM]

man I can't wait til these come out. I would probably do a road trip every weekend with something like this.

[Jamma @ Mar 14th 2008 5:10PM]

I long for the day that we can charge our cars by usb...

[Reader @ Mar 14th 2008 5:55PM]

With a setup like this, no problem:
http://www.reckmann.org/wp-content/thumb-usb_grill.jpg

[ethana2 @ Mar 14th 2008 7:03PM]

If USB can't scale frequency, pins, and multiplex connections, how the heck do you expect it to be able to scale voltage and amperage?

[Mark @ Mar 14th 2008 5:17PM]

bring this to Canada..

[BigD145 @ Mar 14th 2008 5:46PM]

Canada has some nice all electrics.

[marcus @ Mar 14th 2008 5:45PM]

lol just saw this ten minutes ago on the (swedish) news and I was like: Yeah what a great initiative from volvo and saab to join together and create something like this. Electric cars are most definitely the future.

[phanbouy @ Mar 14th 2008 6:10PM]

That's slick! I want that exact car in the picture.

[Andir3.0 @ Mar 15th 2008 8:02AM]

I thought about getting the C3 for my next car, but then I saw the tail end... How could you do that to a car that looks so much sharper all around?

[Andir3.0 @ Mar 15th 2008 8:03AM]

C30, damn fingers

[ShadowMaker @ Mar 14th 2008 6:24PM]

Great. A plug-in car. Now let me get my 300 foot extension cord, since I don't have indoor parking for my car.
And how do you prevent them punk kids from unplugging my car leaving me to be able to drive for 12 feet before the car stops? All this technical advances are great, but they're useless without practical application.

[phanbouy @ Mar 14th 2008 6:33PM]

you're right. shadowmaker doesn't have a garage or below-driveway eletcrical line. KILL THE TECHNOLOGY!

[TriZz @ Mar 14th 2008 6:41PM]

Just make the plug with a strong locking mechanism.

[BigD145 @ Mar 14th 2008 7:59PM]

Why don't you try getting parents to teach their punk kids to get a life and learn some responsibility? If that's too hard, then build a garage.

[ugg.tryptophan @ Mar 14th 2008 10:52PM]

seeing as hybrids cost more, those who can afford one probably have a house with a garage

[bernardino @ Mar 14th 2008 10:44PM]

They should stop making cars with manual transmissions because I'm incapable of driving a stick shift.

[animeGhost @ Mar 15th 2008 12:06AM]

are u crazy, i would die if i was forced to drive one of those automatic limited life trannies

[Sasha S. @ Mar 14th 2008 7:01PM]

Manufacturers should recognize that the time for showing off nice concepts has gone (a cncept car btw cost upwards of one million dollars a piece and is hand made).

Message to Volvo and Saab: Quit fooling around - we need plug in hybrids (or fully electric cars) NOW! Showing off concept does not serve a purpose. Customers are interested in cars that are available on the market now, not in 2020. Anything else is pure window dressing and not a good one.

[HyperHacker @ Mar 14th 2008 11:04PM]

Agreed. 2020 is too damn late.

[Twitchy @ Mar 15th 2008 9:17AM]

2020? That's cool. I'll be cruising to the dealership in my Chevy Volt (or the Opel European equivalent).But unless it remains so neat and tidy looking and on the technological forefront (I doubt that - 12 years is A LOT of time for a design), then I'll probably be going straight to another dealer. Sorry Ford, you loose again.

[lgs @ Mar 14th 2008 7:47PM]

Come on, this is Ford and GM we're talking about. They're good at wooing politicians and the press, but don't go expecting a real commitment to environmental issues or traffic safety from them unless they're forced to by law.

[truegrey42 @ Mar 14th 2008 7:48PM]

I REALLY want someone to release a gorram electric or hybrid convertible - why aren't there any on the market?! Volvo would be the best to do that, their C70 rocks my face off...

[slackie @ Mar 14th 2008 9:04PM]

I'm glad you liked it - =) /engineer @volvo

[Andir3.0 @ Mar 15th 2008 8:12AM]

good, maybe you can convince them to change the general look of the ass end of the C30 to something a little less gay? The rest of the car is all "sharp" and almost shark like, then you get to the back and it looks like a Play-Doh bomb went off.
http://www.volvocars.com/SiteCollectionImages/All%20Models/MY08/C30/Interactive%20Gallery/Wallpaper/wallpaper_C30_1024_1.jpg

Ugh, nevermind. I know it won't make a difference since I'm looking to buy a car in 2 months to replace my RX8. (Yes, I was even looking to Volvo of all places to get my small sporty car fix for less than $40K)

[Sandstorm @ Mar 15th 2008 8:54AM]

Andir3.0, you are so wrong... I, and almost anyone I know, think that the tail of C30 is EXCELLENT!!! The only problem with the C30 is that it's too expensive for such a small car. Niche product.
Anyway - I love Volvo cars (never owend one, but we had several in our family) and I'd love to see them become greener.

[Liam @ Mar 14th 2008 10:34PM]

OPEC can go punt! How great it will be when we tell them to shove their oil up their you know whats!

[Evan @ Mar 14th 2008 11:25PM]

The C30 is a great little car! (I'm driving one now, well, not now while I'm typing this, you know what I mean.) I think the C30 would be a good base for an electric or hybrid car.

[NiraliSherni @ Mar 15th 2008 5:59AM]

I think it is great that more automobile companies are looking seriously at lowering emissions and improving fuel efficiency. Hybrid are a great step in the right direction, fully electric vehicles would be an even better bet. Companies like ZAP (http://www.zapworld.com) are doing a great job getting electric vehicles to the public. These vehicles are good for the consumer and for the environment.

[james @ Mar 17th 2008 6:27PM]

Is it just me, or are badges and emblems on cars getting bigger every year? Look at that grill emblem, it must be 8" around! Ford, Mazda, and I'm sure others have been doing this as well. Tacky tacky.

[Kent Beuchert @ Mar 17th 2008 11:47PM]

FIVE YEARS? Why bother at all? Volvo is greenwashing this one. In five years, anything can happen.

[Jon @ Mar 26th 2008 4:33PM]

front and profile look great, rear view needs fixing.
Looks like a hot hatch, which is an excellent look to go for.
AWD, and electric plug in !! awesome.
The Center of gravity should be super low also...

The unsprung weight may be bad, with motors in the wheels though... arent the motors going to take a terrible beating with pot-holes ?

They are working with saab/subaru ?
how about a juiced up WRX AWD version...

would be nice if the batteries lasted 100 miles rather than 60... 60 is a bit weak.

They should go the whole way, and maybe try aluminum of composites to greatly reduce the weight.

Kudos to Volvo.
get it out on the streets already !