At the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show, green was in and every automaker seemed to have an alternative vehicle of some sort. It was hybrid cars galore - in addition to clean diesel and biofuels.
Unfortunately, so many of the concepts,
such as the Volvo Recharge Hybrid, are dependent
upon technologies that are just not ready for
reality. So, we'll be waiting at least a couple of
more years before there is any real chance of seeing
a vehicle, such as the Volvo ReCharge on the streets
of America.
Still, imagine 62 mpg on electric power only. That's what
the Recharge hybrid promises. All that and more.
Starting to sound like GM's
Chevy Volt? I agree, but there are still some
differences.
InsideLine
notes that the 4 electric motors in each wheel
combined with the 1.6 liter flex-fuel engine could
achieve a whopping 120+ mpg for trips less than 90
miles. In trips over 100 mpg, the Volvo hybrid would
eventually average out at 45 mpg.
Considering most Americans drive less than 90 miles per day, that's fantastic. Thus, much like the Volt, the Volvo Recharge concept can meet most commuter's daily needs with just electric power.
Unfortunately, just as with the Volt or other
plug-in
hybrids, the technology is completely dependent
upon lithium-ion batteries that is, minimally
two-three years from production-reality, and that's
based upon a best case scenario.
Hopefully, this plug-in hybrid will move from
concept to reality. However, at NAIAS 2008, the
Volvo ReCharge seemed more like a toy than
reality.
Labels: biofuels, Chevy Volt electric vehicle concept, clean diesel, hybrid cars, volvo recharge hybrid
