Filed under: Hybrid, Europe, Government/Legal, Technology, Volvo, Electric
In a decision driven by upcoming EU regulations, Volvo has announced that it will not bring its C30 electric car to the U.S. market. Instead, the lithium ion-powered vehicle will only be sold in the European Union. Drafted EU regulations require automakers to cut carbon dioxide (C02) emissions by 25 percent within the next two years – and the rules tighten even further down the road. Volvo plans to meet the pending regulations with both electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The automaker plans to roll out 50 electric cars in Sweden over a two-year period, and then deliver 1,000 cars a year once production ramps up.
Volvo’s move is interesting in that it is not a consumer-driven initiative (like wider tires or upgraded infotainment systems). Instead, the automaker is solely trying to satisfy future C02 emission-related mandates. Reiterating this position, consumers have been receptive to gasoline-electric hybrids, yet Volvo – unwilling to waver from its focus on carbon dioxide mandates – says that particular type of hybrid powertrain adds technology and weight, but it doesn’t reduce C02 by much. With that, the automaker has no plans to make a gasoline-electric hybrid.
Gallery: Detroit 2010: Volvo C30 EV
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req’d]
Report: Electric Volvo C30 won’t arrive in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.