Volvo C30

The next generation of hybrid vehicles is closer than ever, thanks to boffins at Volvo and Toyota.

Today’s petrol/electric models can only recharge their batteries when in use, but both firms plan cars which top up directly from the mains. Volvo is showing its ReCharge Concept at Frankfurt – it’s a C30 hybrid with electric motors in the wheels and a 1.6-litre petrol/bioethanol engine. It can travel up to 62 miles on battery power alone. Meanwhile, Toyota has started trials in Europe of its own plug-in system. It has teamed up with energy supplier EDF to work on technology that can recharge a Prius from a standard socket.

The specially developed Japanese hybrid should be capable of journeys of up to six miles using only electricity. This range could increase as Toyota works out the ideal balance for Europe between a battery’s capacity and its physical size.

However, the plug-in technology is not expected to grace the next-generation Prius, due in 2009.