Volvo CEO Criticizes EU’s Strategy on CO2 Emissions Reduction and Electric Cars

Stephan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Cars, said today at an industry seminar in Brussels that the European Commission’s plan of reducing CO2 emissions and promoting electrification throughout Europe is mistaken. Jacoby believes that a lack of a cohesive incentive strategy and over-optimistic targets set by the EU will not have the desired effects. He said that the high cost of hybrid and all-electric vehicles is currently preventing European car buyers from adopting them.
“Volvo Car Corporation urges the EU to coordinate incentives while supporting research and development”, said Jacoby, adding that if this does not happen, European carmakers will have to deal with the consequences.
“In the long-term, this jeopardizes our industry’s competitiveness and European jobs”, he noted. He also said that the Commission's White Paper on Transport, which has set a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent until 2050, by which time conventionally powered cars should be completely phased out, is unrealistic.
The sales numbers supports Jacob's argument: last year, less than 50,000 electric vehicles were sold worldwide, accounting for approximately 0.1 percent of total sales. Therefore, the EU’s estimate that all-electric and plug-in hybrids sales will increase to 30 percent by 2030 is out of touch with reality.
Jacoby’s comments are not derived by Volvo lagging behind its competitors in this segment; on the contrary, it has already launched the V60 Plug-in Hybrid and has started a limited-run production of the C30 electric compact.
Even so, the estate hybrid is priced at €50,000 (US$66,100), which Jacoby admits limits its appeal to customers. If EU wants to achieve its goals in reducing vehicle-produced CO2 emissions it must offer incentives, like the U.S. tax rebates or the US$15 billion earmarked by the Chinese government for its domestic carmakers’ research in electrification research and infrastructure.

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Volvo Recalling Close to 3,000 S60 and XC60 Models

If you happen to own a 2012 Volvo S60 sedan and/or a XC60 crossover in the States, there's a good chance you'll soon receive a recall letter from the Swedish automaker because of a potential fire risk. "An incorrect mixture of underbody coating and over-application can result in rigid, icicle-like areas hanging from vehicle’s undercarriage," read Volvo's document posted on the website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
"If this condition exists, the underbody coating may penetrate the fuels lines and cause fuel leakage, increasing the risk of a fire"
Volvo said that the S60 sedans affected were produced between January 10, 2012, and February 3, 2012, while the X60 models were made from January 10 to 26, 2012. Overall, the safety recall concerns 2,742 S60 and XC60 models.
The company said its dealers will inspect the vehicle undercarriage, and if they find excessive underbody coating in the fuel line area, it will be removed. In the event that the fuel lines are damaged, they will be replaced.
Volvo expects the safety recall to begin on April 13.

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Volvo 2011 S60 Slips into its Racing Uniform

If you're searching for a...really naughty version of the 2011 Volvo S60, then look no further than to this race-spec model that's being readied for track by K-PAX Racing to defend the team's 2010 World Challenge GT Manufacturers′ and Drivers′ champion titles. The K-PAX team is preparing two all-wheel drive S60s, which will make their debut at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah, in late April, for the fourth round of the World Challenge schedule.
"For the first three races, we′ll run the body style that took us to last year′s championships," said Jim Haughey, Team Owner of K-PAX Racing. "Once fans see the new cars, I think they′ll be very impressed."
K-PAX Racing has not yet revealed any details on the S60's specifications.

Volvo New Details on V60 Plug-in Diesel-Electric Hybrid

Last month, we told you about Volvo's plans to reveal an almost production-ready diesel-electric hybrid version of the V60 at the Geneva Salon in March. Today, the Swedish automaker released a full set of photos and additional information on its Plug-in Hybrid, which will be launched in the market in 2012. 

 

Pegged as the world's first diesel plug-in hybrid, the eco-friendly V60 is the result of close co-operation between Volvo Cars and Swedish energy supplier Vattenfall, and it promises to offer low fuel consumption and CO2 levels, combined with long range and high performance.

The V60 Plug-in Hybrid's powertrain consists of a five-cylinder 2.4-litre D5 turbo diesel with 215 horsepower and maximum torque of 440 Nm that drives the front wheels, and a 70HP-strong electric motor that receives its juice from a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and motivates the rear wheels. The car also features a six-speed automatic transmission.

The car's battery package can be recharged via a regular power socket (230V/6A, 10A or 16A), with the charging time depending on the level of the current. A full 10A charge takes 4.5 hours. The time is shortened to 3 hours with 16A, while a charge in a 6A socket takes 7.5 hours.

The driver can choose from three different modes via a set of push buttons on the center console: Pure, Hybrid and Power.

In Pure, the car runs only on its electric motor as much as possible, with the maximum driving range being up to 32 miles or 51 kilometers with zero emissions of carbon dioxide.

The Hybrid mode, which is the default setting whenever the car is started, makes use of both the diesel engine and electric motor. In this mode, V60 Plug-in Hybrid returns a fuel economy of up to 125 mpg US (equal to 150 mpg UK and 1.9 lt/100km) with CO2 emissions of just 49 g/km, and a total driving range of up to 746 miles or 1,200 kilometers. 

Finally, in Power mode, the system is optimized to give the car the best possible performance, with the diesel engine and electric motor producing a combined power output of 215 + 70 horsepower and maximum torque of 440 + 200 Nm. According to Volvo, the station wagon model completes the 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) sprint in just 6.9 seconds.

In addition to the three driving modes, there's also an AWD button in the centre stack that activates electric four-wheel drive. In this case, the central control unit manages torque distribution to the diesel-driven front wheels and the electrically powered rear axle.

There are some subtle styling differences over the standard V60 such as the modified instrument panel that offers information about diesel and electricity consumption, battery charge level and remaining range, the restyled bumpers and the lightweight alloy wheels wrapped around in low rolling resistance Pirelli tires. 

"The second-generation hybrid is the perfect choice for the uncompromising buyer who wants a superbly carbon dioxide-lean car packed with driving pleasure. To get drivers to think green, we have offered both, in one traditional genuine sports wagon" said Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Cars.

"The technology is still undergoing development and testing, however, the car already points very clearly to what our customers can expect when the plug-in hybrid enters showrooms next year. What we've done is to spice it up with spearhead technology that allows the driver to choose: zero emissions, high-efficiency hybrid or full-on performance. Just select the mode that suits best," he added.Volvo said that the added cost of the battery pack and the electric motor system means the plug-in hybrid will be more expensive to buy than a regular V60, but added that fuel costs are expected to be one-third of a conventional combustion engined V60. Pricing and market availability will be announced nearer the 2012 launch date