Displayed at the ongoing Frankfurt International Motor Show in Germany, the Volvo ReCharge Concept is a rechargeable hybrid car that fuses innovation and green technology.

This Volvo concept, which was developed at Volvo’s Monitoring and Concept center in the United States, can be plugged in via a conventional electrical outlet. The new car can be driven for approximately 100 kilometers on battery power alone.

Integrated into the development of this Volvo concept car are a lot of Volvo parts enhancements, such as the lithium- polumer battery pack. This battery is incorporated into the luggage compartment and is expected to have a longer life span than the car itself.

“A certain proportion of electrical vehicles will be necessary to meet the carbon dioxide emission demands of the future,” said Magnus Jonsson, senior vice president for research and development at Volvo Cars.

Jonsson added: “This plug-in hybrid car, when used as intended, should have about 66 percent lower emissions of carbon dioxide compared with the best hybrid cars available on the market today. Emissions may be even lower if most of the electricity comes from carbon dioxide-friendly sources such as biogas, hydropower and nuclear power.”

The concept also uses Volvo brakes regeneration, which recharge the battery pack when braking.

According to Jonsson, there is rarely a need to visit a filling station if a person drives less than 100 kilometers a day. It takes only three hours to fully charge the car, but a one-hour charge is sufficient to drive around 50 kilometers.
When 70 percent of the battery power has been consumed, the combustion engine starts up. But the driver can control manually the engine using a button in the instrument panel.

Expected to save costs, the Volvo ReCharge Concept consumes fuel from zero to 5.5 liters per 100 kilometers. The car’s operating costs are said to be up to 80 percent lower than that of a comparable car that utilizes petroleum.