and completely emission-free electric net: So presents the final consumer, if the speech of an electric car. Small subtleties when it in fact not always be preceded by electrically, from the auto industry is often concealed or explained only on demand. The latter can not be accused of Volvo. The Swedish manufacturer has explicitly indicated that it is not the Electric C30 is entirely without fuel – you need it for fuel-powered auxiliary heater.

A Volvo must work well in cold weather
that makes Volvo is a comfortable ride even in freezing temperatures is thought, no wonder. In northern Sweden it is very cold and frosty in the winter months, and on the domestic market, the brand has a market share of over 20 percent to defend. Even at temperatures well below freezing, a Volvo – and an electrically powered – works reliably accordingly. So we have the Volvo in Sweden’s northernmost city, Kiruna invited, the electric-C30 test under cold conditions.

Time-controlled preheating
to achieve a high range, should the lithium-ion battery in the C30 Electric before launching into a good working state, and can be preheated in accordance with sub-zero temperatures. This is a six-kilowatt strong built “engine heater”. The energy required from the pinches while charging from the mains. Preheating allows greater range of up to 30 percent compared with a cold start in which the battery capacity for a rapid warming will have to be used. For the timely pre-heating prior to departure is a timer function. About this can be if desired Preheat the passenger compartment. The climate of the interior is in favor of a higher capacity battery than a fuel-powered auxiliary heater. It can be operated with either ethanol or gasoline. The corresponding twelve-gallon tank will suffice for about 20 to 24 hours in journey time. At short distances the driver the air conditioner can also switch on current operations.

Cooling in the cold chamber
, but also who waived the pre-heating can, in an instant in a well-tempered car sit. In order to simulate an outdoor temperature of minus 25 degrees, the Volvo C30, the specialist for this test overnight Electric have put in a cold chamber. This was necessary because for this season in Lapland unusually “hot” six degrees below zero was. After a few minutes – and faster than known from other cars – the C30 Electric is nice and warm inside, the windows clear of frost and ice.

Agile, balanced, low noise level
of 82 kW (111 hp) electric motor drives the nearly 1.7-ton C30 Electric agile, balanced and quiet at. From the start, have the full 220 Nm of torque available and ensure above all in the first meters for rapid progress. 10.9 seconds elapse until it reaches pace 100th Faster than 130 km / h of electric-C30 but not – for the sake of reach. The input gear which is operated by a short lever, allows the setting of two different driving modes: H as the C30 highway “sails” on the tarmac and largely maintains the current speed. If you choose the D mode and goes off the accelerator, the car will automatically slow down and simultaneously recharge the battery. In predictive mode of operation, the compact cars are moved so virtually without pressing the brake. Volvo is about 150 kilometers to reach than for the C30 Electric. At low temperatures, they have reduced, however. If you add on top of the display remaining 20 kilometers, we have done on our test drive about 100 miles – the whole thing in just below zero, level ground, but also forced journey. Full charging takes varies depending on the current long: six to eight hours at 16 amps, about ten hours at ten amps.

Test fleet of 250 leased vehicles
can be purchased by the C30 Electric is not the world’s fleet of 250 vehicles will be leased exclusively. In Germany, then € 1130 a month for three years are due – no deposit and no mileage limitation. Volvo is the test fleet mainly for research purposes, which is why the Swedish data, such as mileage, duration and frequency of loading of all vehicles and collect and evaluate. After three years, the car goes back to the manufacturer. Current and potential customers are primarily commercial and fleet customers who want to record, for example, for image reasons, an appropriate vehicle in stock. Theoretically, every lease a private customer, C30 Electric. A large series, there will be, however. First, the C30 runs out in 2013 anyway, on the other hand, the Swedes are also experimenting with other solutions, such as a range extender. All experience should be incorporated into a bundled electric version of the new compact model V40.