click above image for high-res gallery of the Volvo C30 Efficiency

In what sounds like an extremely unsurprising move, Volvo is planning on introducing more small cars and more diesel engines. Certainly, timing could not be better as small cars are handily outselling their larger, less fuel-efficient older brothers. Diesel engines are beginning to make a comeback of sorts in the U.S. market as Volkswagen, long the only automaker still holding the inexpensive diesel flag in the states, has reintroduced its TDI engine and such automakers as BMW and Porsche are planning on offering oil burners to their customers shortly. We would absolutely be ecstatic to see a vehicle like the C30 Efficiency concept, which was shown off at the last Motor Show in Frankfurt, introduced to the U.S. market. That concept car, with its 1.6 liter diesel engine, posted extremely good fuel economy numbers of over fifty miles per gallon. Sounds like just what the doctor ordered, wouldn't you agree?

[Source: Just-Auto - sub. req'd]

Click on the image for high-res shots of Volvo's FlexiFuel police model

Last year, Volvo introduced a line of vehicles in Europe capable of running on E85 fuel which it refers to as the FlexiFuel range. Already available in the C30, S40, V50 and V70 and S80 models with engines ranging from 1.8 to 2.5 liters, Volvo has seen fit to add a new police-specific V70 to its range of flexible fuel vehicles. Perhaps this addition will allow for more than just 50-100 sales in the U.K. As with the current V70 and S80 FlexiFuel models, the new emergency vehicle will come equipped with the turbocharged 2.5 liter inline five cylinder engine offering 200 horsepower and a very reasonable 300Nm of torque at 1500-4500rpm. This output allows for a top speed of 130mph and a run from 0 to 60mph in 7.6 seconds -- not too shabby at all.

Volvo's V70 police car again raises the point that the U.K. police force often chooses very practical vehicles for law enforcement duties. While the estate body style makes perfect sense for police duties, we can't imagine the authorities in the U.S. rolling around with wagons any time soon (except for the Romulus MI police who have the speed traps set up in the vicinity of Detroit Metro Airport with their unmarked Dodge Magnums).

Click on the image to enlarge

While safety is likely the first thing that springs to mind when the automotive conversation turns to Volvo, the Swedish auto manufacturer would like the average person to know about its efforts to reduce its impact on the environment. To that end, Volvo has launched its 'Clean inside and out' program, which outlines everything that the automaker is trying to do in protection of the environment.

After the break, we've pasted Volvo's latest press release detailing some of its environmental policies, but one figure stands out in our minds: all new Volvo's are 85 percent recyclable and 95 percent recoverable and have been so since 2002. In an age where cars are often looked as necessary but disposable objects, we can respect the distances that Volvo is going to address their environmental impact.

Click on the image to enlarge

Reducing the environmental impact of garbage is anything but a new idea, but what often seems overlooked are the actual vehicles doing the dirty-work of picking up our trash. Volvo's trying to do something about that with hybrid garbage trucks that are currently undergoing testing in Sweden. If testing goes well, Volvo plans to begin producing the hybrid trucks in 2009.

Volvo's hybrid technology consists of a 320 horsepower diesel engine which shuts down at rest combined with an electric motor that powers the truck at speeds up to 12 miles per hour. Regenerative braking is used as a means to recapture energy to recharge the lithium ion batteries. Besides being much quieter in early morning trash pickup duties, the total gas savings and C0₂ emissions are expected to drop 20-30 percent.

Also of note is Volvo's research into DME for fuel in an attempt to lower emissions and reduce diesel soot. DME is produced by creating a syngas which is converted to a liquid fuel. This type of fuel is already in use as a propellant gas in aerosol spray cans. See both press releases after the break.

No, Volvo hasn't created a diesel "range-extender" for their ReCharge concept nor have they divulged details of a love-child from its Saab liaison. What Volvo has done is prove the newly-coined adage, "not all hybrids are created equal.", with a monster that could crush the competition. Literally. Volvo has used the strengths of hybrid-electric technology to save fuel and increase the power of their earth moving behemoth, the L220F Hybrid wheel loader.

An Integrated Starter Generator [ISG] coupled with a state-of-the-art battery of undisclosed chemistry is at the heart of this hybrid. Not only can it immediately "spin up" the motor for start / stop capability but it also assists the diesel while it's at low RPM with an instant 700Nm boost. Fuel savings are said to be 10 percent.

If you happen to be in Las Vegas this weekend you can catch up with this Volvo live at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG exhibition. If not, hit the jump for all the exciting details from their press release.

Recently, I wrote a post that talked about Volvo's statement that they were working exclusively with PML (a company that makes in-wheel electric motors). I found this concerning because I thought PML was working with Zap on the Zap-X, a Lotus-designed, affordable, normal-looking electric car. I contacted Zap Communication's Alex Campbell, who checked with Zap's CEO Steve Schneider about Volvo's statements. Zap says they are in a relationship with PML but only on three-wheeled vehicles. As for four-wheeled cars, Zap tried but it looks like PML went with Volvo. Zap has moved on to a Chinese company that they say is not only cheaper than PML but can provide in-wheel electric motors sooner. So there is no confusion, here is exactly what Zap says:

We signed an exclusive agreement with PML on 3-wheelers and at the time were negotiating with them on other vehicles. We have since partnered up with a company in China with rights to their wheel hub motors. The significance is that the wheel hub motor that we have acquired is currently working in application and we believe will be commercially available within a shorter period of time than PML's. It is my understanding that the PML motor has still yet to work in any automotive application. And they are expensive so it would need to be manufactured in China to stay competitive.

[Source: Alex Campbell from Zap]

In an interview, Ichiro Sugioka, project leader of Volvo's Recharge electric car concept, says PML FlightLink is "currently working exclusively for us." If that was not clear enough, Ichiro adds "all their efforts is going into our projects." The interviewer presses for more information, even mentioning PML's relationship with Lotus, but Ichiro is very clear. You can see this exchange three minutes into the video below the fold.

Why is this notable? Green car fans will recall the PML's in-wheel motors were going to be a key part of the Zap-X. I guess we should have noticed the relationship was probably over because Zap said it had some exclusive rights with PML and then PML started to work with Volvo. Companies don't write press release saying relationships have fallen apart. So, what does this mean for the release date for the Zap-X, the Lotus-designed, affordable, electric car?

Zap never made an exact release date for the Zap-X public, so it's hard to say the date has slipped. I would assume the internal date must have slipped a little bit. While Zap makes great products, they are probably one of the more out-sourced electric vehicle companies. I always imagined Zap, Miles or Tesla would be bought out sooner or later by a large automaker trying to catch up.

This little soap opera makes me think the top automakers just might bypass the middle man and work with the smaller technology companies instead.

Related:

• Volvo could develop a robot that plugs in your car
• Frankfurt Preview: Volvo ReCharge - The Swedes go series hybrid
• Zap! does deal for wheel motors
• Video: 900 miles without a fill up

[Source: Google Video]

As they announced a few months ago, the two-liter turbodiesel versions of the Volvo C30, S40 and V50 are now available with a new dual-clutch automatic transmission called Powershift. It's got six forward gears and twin wet clutches that provide ease-of use as an automatic, but faster-than-manual speed shifts. Does this sound familiar to you? Basically the same principle (if not the same transmissions) as VW's DSG.

Volvo says that the new transmission helps improve fuel consumption while retaining the ease-of-use of an automatic tranny. Remember that Europeans usually like their gears changing by themselves.

If you wondered (although you probably know) how this transmission works, Volvo explains it very easily: "It has twin wet clutches that work independently of one another. One clutch controls the odd gears (1, 3, 5 and reverse) while the other handles the even ratios (2, 4 and 6). The two clutches operate alternately, with one engaging while the other disengages. This means that at the same time as the engine gets full power and maximum thrust in first gear, second gear is placed in readiness to be engaged. And when second gear has been engaged, third gear is readied, and so on. This promotes a continuous flood of power without any disruption in power delivery or any torque loss, resulting in extremely fast and silky-smooth gear changes while maintaining acceleration throughout the gearchanging process."

Related:

• Volvo announces efficient C30 and a new gearbox improvement
• Frankfurt Preview: Euro Ford Focus gets dual clutch gearbox for 2008
• Getrag developing hybridized dual clutch transmission

[Source: Volvo]

The video above is an 8-minute interview with Ichiro Sugioka of Volvo talking about Volvo's Recharge concept. Ichiro also talks about the many interesting advantages of battery-powered cars like the power company paying you $2,000 or $3,000 a year to use your car battery while it's parked and using recycled hybrid batteries to store energy from wind turbines. These kinds of things, Ichiro admits, won't be done by a car company. Car companies have developed home charging units for cars and Ichiro hints at a very interesting technology that might be coming from Volvo, robot pluggers. I will let Ichiro explain or you can watch 6:40 into the video interview above:

We would also like to have an automated plug-in system. Which is why we put the plug in the nose of the car. So that you could easily position yourself relative a robotic system, lets say. So that you don't have to plug it in yourself.

Please, please, please, make this electric-car-plugging-robot Ichiro! Also, if you can, make the robot wash the windows and mow the lawn.

Related:

• Frankfurt Preview: Volvo ReCharge - The Swedes go series hybrid
• Electric cars could earn owner $500 a month
• Video: iMiEV has wind turbine in the grill, solar panel on the roof
• Volvo introducing a new flexifuel engine

[Source: YouTube]

You are all familiar with that new car smell, right? Whenever someone gets into a brand new car off the showroom floor, they are bombarded with odors ranging from new plastics to chemicals burning off newly hot parts underhood. While most everyone wants to know that their car is factory-fresh, those smells can truly be harmful... sorta akin to sniffing glue you might say. While some people are more bothered by the odorific... uh, odors than others, the noses of a few testers at Volvo have got your nasal passages on their minds. To wit:

The interior of a modern vehicle contains many different materials that contain chemical substances. While most of these substances remain locked in the material, small quantities can evaporate, creating that "new car smell". The panel monitors these substances and the smells they may cause in the cabin.

In Volvo's tests, each car is rated on a scale of 1 to 6, with 6 being unbearable. Higher than 3 = failed. Additionally, each car is heated up to simulate the baking the interior gets in the hot sun.

[Source: Good Car Bad Car]

The Volvo ReCharge

The other day, we got a tip from Stefan N. about a story he found that discussed a new partnership between Saab and Volvo on developing new plug-in hybrids. I asked him to provide us with a more complete translation of the original article (it was in Swedish) and he then provided us his own English version. Thanks, Stefan!

I've put the full translation after the jump. Here are the highlights:

As we said, Volvo and Saab will put ten PHEVs on the road by 2009 to create a strong Swedish plug-in market, with vehicle testing to begin next year. Using vehicles from these two automakers, technical know-how from Vattenfall and lithium-ion batteries from ETC Battery, the plug-in hybrid project will have a budget of 62 million Swedish crowns (around $9.6 million U.S.) The vehicle models that will be used and other details are being kept quiet. Continue after the break for more.

The Volvo ReCharge

Well, for this post we're going to need to rely on our tipster, Stefan N. The link he sent is to a story in Norwegian (I think), a language I can't read. Therefore it's difficult for me to confirm any of what Stefan N. says (and Google Translate doesn't have Norwegian). Still, what I hear the story says is that Volvo and Saab are collaborating on plug-in hybrids. "In brief, Volvo and Saab plan together with Vattenfall (electric supplier) and ETC (battery provider) to have 10 PHEV in traffic by 2009. The project has budget of 10 million US$," he writes. I do see words like "Saab" and 'Volvo" and "plugin-bilprojekt" so it seems accurate. I've asked Stefan for more help, but does anyone else want to flesh out the details?

[Source: Miljorapporten, h/t to Stefan N.]

The Rocky Mountain Institute's Amory Lovins has won this year's Volvo Environment Prize. Or, at least, he will do so when the award is given out on Thursday in Stockholm. Each year, the prize is awarded by a selection committee of scientists and researchers from an independent foundation and comes with a 1.5 million SEK (about $230,000) purse.

We've featured Lovins and the RMI on AutoblogGreen with some regularity in the past (see below), and it's nice to see him win this award. While I'm certainly in favor of greener ways to produce energy, Lovins, has, for more than 30 years, "advocated a more efficient use of energy rather than increasing the production of it. He claims that sufficient energy exists for everyone to live and move about comfortably, provided that we do away with the wasteful energy practices of today." It's like "Drive less" on a larger scale, and you know that pleases me.

Read Volvo's announcement on the prize after the jump and congratulations to Lovins.

Related:

• Video: RMI's Hypercar a 100+ mpg SUV featuring Amory Lovins
• Interview with Michael Brylawski of RMI
• How long until we get one? A short history of the ultralight RMI Hypercar

[Source: Volvo]

Volvo first went about tackling emissions by showing off their "carbon-free" trucks. Now, they say that their goal is to make all of their plants "carbon-free" too. For whatever reason, when they introduced the trucks and now with the factories, they call them carbon-free in most promotional materials (image above excepted) as opposed to the more commonly accepted carbon-neutral. Whatever. The first plant which does not spew carbon (in the overall balance) is in Ghent, Belgium. According to Volvo CEO Leif Johansson,"It is not an easy undertaking, but we are prepared to try different alternatives to achieve our goal for CO2-free production in our plants."

In order to make their non-carbon plans a reality, the company is building three wind-power plants on-site, which will provide half the power for the plant. For the rest of their electricity, Volvo will turn to the Belgium energy company, Electrabel, which will provide certified green energy. Two plants in Sweden are also scheduled to be carbon-absent.

[Source: Volvo via Industry Week]

Click the photo for a high-res gallery

While Toyota is clearly not enamored with the concept of series hybrids (at least publicly) plenty of other companies are jumping on the idea. The latest to join the party is Volvo with a new concept that they will unveil next week in Frankfurt. The ReCharge is a plug-in series hybrid based on the compact C30 hatchback. The all-wheel drive propulsion will be provided courtesy of wheel motors at all four corners.

Juice for the motors will come from a lithium polymer battery pack mounted in the trunk with sufficient capacity for 62 miles of electric driving. Once the battery state of charge dips to thirty percent, a 1.6L four cylinder flex-fuel engine bolted to a generator starts up to re-charge the battery. The ReCharge can also be plugged in to replenish the battery energy. The wheel motors and generator were developed with PML Flightlink of England (creators of the 640hp electric Mini).

The engine-generator has enough power to provide juice to a house in the event of power-failure. Thanks to the range of battery and the fact that the engine can operate at its most efficient speed, the ReCharge can do a 93 mile drive on 2.8L of gas for 124mpg (US). A full charge (presumably on a 220V circuit as used in Europe) comes in three hours while one hour at the plug will provide enough power for a thirty mile jaunt. There's a video after the jump in addition to the press release.

[Source: Volvo]