Volvo C30 plug-in hybrid likely to be mass-produced in Shanghai

Shanghai October 26 (Gasgoo.com) Volvo will launch in 2013 a vehicle project in Jiading District, Shanghai, where the Volvo C30 plug-in hybrid will probably be mass-produced if everything goes as planned, Rong Wenwei, general manger of Shanghai International Auto City Development Co., Ltd. recently said at the Eighth China automotive industry Forum, 163.com reported Tuesday.

Volvo Electric C30

The Swedish automaker unveiled the all-electric Volvo C30 this January at the 2010 North American Auto Show in Detroit, a major milestone in fulfilling its "DRIVe Towards Zero" strategy.

The electric C30 is powered by a Lithium-Ion battery pack that can be recharged via either a standard household outlet or a special high capacity roadside charging station. With the batteries topped off, the Electric C30 can sprint from zero to 60 MPH in 11 seconds while the BEV's top speed is up around 81 MPH, according to Top Speed.

After passing its test run in 2011, the electric C30 will be officially put into mass production, Lennart Stegland, director of Volvo Cars Special Vehicles, said in an interview with 163.com.

Lennart Stegland is very positive about the prospect of new energy vehicles, which, he said, should be promoted first in certain cities where the demand is huge and the policies are sound and support sustainable growth.

Shanghai is just such a city. The city's deputy mayor Ai Baojun said a new energy vehicle and key component industry base will be built in the Jiading District. By 2015, the base will be able to carry out application and demonstration of 30,000 new energy vehicles. Meanwhile, 20,000 new energy passenger vehicles will be launched to the market by 2012, during which charging stations and other facilities will be constantly improved.