Swedish plug-in hybrid vehicle update coming in May
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Saab, Volvo
Since last year, Saab and Volvo have been working together to develop a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). Volvo officially announced the project in March 2008, and showed us pictures of the ReCharge concept on the road. Those were nice to see. The Invest In Sweden Agency will be updating visitors to the Advanced Automotive Battery and Ultracapacitor Conference and Symposia in Tampa, Florida (which starts May 12) on the status of plug-in and electric vehicles in Sweden. The focus will be on Swedish hybrid technology projects, including what's happening with the Swedish Hybrid Vehicle Centre (SHC). This is where the Volvo-Saab - along with the Vattenfall energy company, ETC Battery, FuelCells Sweden and some parts of the Swedish government - project is taking place. The SHC will be funded with $40 million over five years. More details after the break.
Press Release:
Sweden Strengthens Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle Development
Invest in Sweden Agency Presents Great Investment Potentials at US Automotive Battery Conference
STOCKHOLM, Sweden, April 29/PRNewswire/ -- Sweden hosts a world class automotive cluster represented by leading brands such as SAAB Automobile, Scania, Volvo Car Corporation and Volvo Group alongside some 1,000 suppliers. Sweden now looks to expand its research and development of plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Delegates from the Swedish automotive industry will be present at Booth 61 at the Advanced Automotive Battery and Ultracapacitor Conference and Symposia in Tampa, Florida on May 12-16 to meet international representatives from the vehicle battery industry. The aim is to strengthen the Swedish vehicle battery cluster with further investment.
Key representatives will show off innovative Swedish hybrid technology projects, including the Swedish Hybrid Vehicle Centre (SHC). Hans Folkesson, chairman of the SHC research centre said: "The only vehicle with zero emission in the tailpipe is an electrical vehicle. Our biggest challenge at the moment is the energy storage needed to realise this."
Large investments
Sweden spearheads research in hybrid technology for plug-in hybrid vehicles. Over a five-year period, some $40 million will be invested in a joint venture to develop next-generation plug-in hybrid vehicles. The project sees Volvo, SAAB, energy company Vattenfall, and ETC Battery and FuelCells Sweden join forces with the Swedish State and the Swedish Energy Agency to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
Fredrik Arp, president and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation, said: "I see this project as a positive further development of sustainable personal transport. We have a unique opportunity to take the lead when it comes to innovations for advanced green-car technology," he said.
"Within the next decade, electric vehicles are going to be needed if we are to meet forthcoming CO2 legislation," Arp added.
Great opportunity
There are great investment opportunities in the automotive industry in Sweden, particularly in the field of alternative fuel offerings. As vehicle manufacturers like Volvo, SAAB and Scania expand their hybrid technology vehicle line-up, there's a need for specialists in this field to establish themselves in the Swedish battery cluster.
"Sweden can be a world leader when it comes to creating the solutions needed to adapt means of transport - solutions that are now in demand throughout the rest of the world," said Andreas Carlgren, Sweden's minister for the environment.
[Source: Invest in Sweden Agency (ISA)]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-30-2008 @ 12:28PM
Sasha S. said...
This is just another PR stunt. I simply can't believe that car manufacturers can't make the same car GM made 10 years ago in the shape of EV1.
Battery technology is better then it was, electronics is better, etc etc and we should believe that Volvo and Saab need millions of dollars and who at least 5 years to give us a plug-in hybrid (a car that is less dependant on battery technology that pure electric car is)
Car manufacturers have a lot to lose with pure electric cars. The entire industry of spare parts will disappear as with electric cars they are not needed. Full electric cars are the only solution - everything else is just a smokescreen.
VOLVO, SAAB - shame on you!
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4-30-2008 @ 1:20PM
ug said...
This is an endless R&D project with no endpoint. The guy behind the Volvo Recharge project said a final product is over a decade away. A decade from now if we don't have plugin hybrids and BEVs we'll be riding to work on bikes. It's too little too late.
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4-30-2008 @ 2:19PM
armmat said...
The problem is people in this country don't want EV1s...they want cars that carry 8 passengers even though they are driving alone.
Look at the fuel prices today. There are STILL plenty of people who will not feed their children but won't give up their SUVs.
You folks need to factor in the greed, selfishness, egocentric attitudes of people here to understand why automakers don't offer such cars. Because people don't care enough...that's the bottom line.
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4-30-2008 @ 2:45PM
eddy said...
The Volvo C30 Recharge Concept is very similar to the Chevy Volt. The only big difference is that the C30 uses wheel-motors for propulsion and that the range-extender is a diesel-.generator.
The launch date I heard last time was 2011.
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4-30-2008 @ 3:28PM
Chris M said...
Since Saab is now owned by GM and Volvo is now owned by Ford, this means a de-facto cooperative development agreement between Ford and GM. Since the basic series hybrid concept isn't patentable (the first series hybrids were made over a century ago) it saves those companies a considerable amount in development costs - especially if they persuade the Swedish government to subsidize it.
I'm just hoping it speeds up development. I want a wide selection of plug-in cars as soon as possible.
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4-30-2008 @ 4:16PM
Mike said...
Sasha has it right on the money. Forget the shape of the body. The technology is available right now. Just add whatever body you want.
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5-01-2008 @ 9:19PM
cs said...
I agree with Sasha and Mike. These announcements are all delaying tactics by auto manufacturers to make people think they are working on EV's. Isn't it a coincidence that all the major car manufacturers are releasing their version of a PHEV at around the same time? The EV1 and Rav4 EV were designed, built and driven 10+ years ago. If they really wanted to, manufacturers could re-release these cars today!
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