Volvo begins work on fuel cell electric C30

By Tom Phillips

28th October 2010

Volvo is looking to the future! The firm has announced its next step in the electrification of the car. Backed by the Swedish Energy Agency, Volvo will build two fuel cell range extender prototype chassis based on the Volvo C30 DRIVe Electric, to be ready for testing in everyday traffic in 2012.

Volvo boss Stefan Jacoby said, “This is an exciting expansion of our focus on electrification. Battery cost and size means that all-electric cars still have a relatively limited operating range. Fuel cells may be one way of extending the distance these cars can cover.”

The firm is working with Powercell Sweden to build a hydrogen range extender with a reformer, which breaks down petrol to create hydrogen gas. In the fuel cell, this hydrogen gas is converted into electrical energy, which is used to power the car’s electric motor. The only emissions are electricity, water and a small amount of carbon dioxide.

To test range extender, Volvo will fit the completed unit into two C30 DRIVe Electric models, testing of which should begin in 2012. This range extender is expected to increase the electric car’s operating range by up to 155 miles, giving a total of around 250 miles.

There is no word yet on when – or even if – this technology could make it to production.