VOLVO is to put a fleet of electric cars on the road for public testing prior to launching a battery powered version of the C30 coupe.
The car firm will provide 50 cars for selected users in 2011 in a project being supported by the Swedish Energy Agency and will present its next-generation electric C30 at the Detroit Motor Show.
'The new car is a step further from the first prototype we showed in September. It has a complete interior and full instrumentation as well as enhanced battery packaging. It looks like a regular Volvo and offers the same safety, comfort, space and four seats as the standard C30," said Volvo special vehicles director Lennart Stegland.
'Our next step is for the public to drive the test fleet for a two year period in order to provide us with valuable experience - not just technical but also behavioural.'
The Detroit showcar uses lithium-ion batteries that can be recharged via either a regular household power socket or special roadside charging stations and full charging takes around eight hours.
Top speed with a fully charged battery pack is about 81 mph and acceleration from 0 to 60 mph takes less than 11 seconds. The car's range is up to 95 miles - thought to be sufficient to cover the daily transport needs of more than 90 percent of all motorists in Europe.
Said Volvo's electrification strategy director Paul Gustavsson: "Consumers must feel that this type of car is attractive both to drive and own. That is why electric cars have to be as comfortable and safe and offer the same sort of performance as cars with other power sources.
"We believe in this technology and our field test aims to demonstrate that electric cars have considerable market potential.
'However, offering an attractive car is not enough. What is also needed initially is a system of subsidies to make the electric car's expensive battery technology financially viable for buyers.'