Electric cars are finally beginning to make a dent available in the market, but they have got some distance to head before you will see that one in every driveway. Thankfully companies like Volvo and Siemens are working hard to enhance EV technology and grant Mother Earth a little a reprieve from our pollutant-spewing rides. The 2 manufacturers are collaborating on vehicles equipped with electric drive motors, specifically Siemens’s C30 DRIVe. Tests will begin later this year, with 200 vehicles set to be delivered in late 2012 for evaluation under “real-life conditions.” Take a look at the PR after the break.
Volvo Car Corporation and Siemens intend to jointly advance the technical development of electrical cars through extensive strategic cooperation. The focal point is at the joint development of electric drive technology, power electronics and charging technology in addition to the mixing of these systems into Volvo C30 Electric vehicles.
The primary electric cars of this model fitted with Siemens electric motors can be at the test tracks as early because the end of this year. Beginning in late 2012, the Swedish carmaker will deliver a test series of as much as 200 vehicles to Siemens, a good way to then be tested and validated under real-life conditions as portion of a Siemens internal test fleet.
Sharpens competitiveness
The 2 companies’ goals and core competencies in electric mobility are perfectly matched.
The partnership gives Siemens the prospect to increase its industrial leadership in electric drive technology into the automotive market along with a renowned vehicle manufacturer.
Volvo Car Corporation may be counting on proven and efficient Siemens technology for the electrification of its future vehicles.
“We’re more than pleased to have Siemens as a partner. Their world-leading knowledge and experience will bring the technology in our electric cars as much as a completely new level,” says Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation. He continues:
“We’re moving ahead quickly during this area. Our aim is to be first with the newest technology within electrification. The partnership reinforces our aim to pursue the short-growing marketplace for electric cars.”
Pioneering electric mobility
Electric powertrain, battery management and charging technology are considered as key technologies inside the development and production of electrical cars.
“Cooperation with Volvo is a crucial milestone within the development of top-quality components and systems for electric cars subsequently intended for series production,” says Siegfried Russwurm, Siemens Board member and CEO of the Siemens Industry Sector. “It’s our long-term goal to ascertain Siemens as a worldwide system provider both in and out of electrical vehicles. We see ourselves as a comprehensive electric mobility pioneer.”
Siemens electric motors developed for Volvo have a peak power output of 108 kilowatts with a maximum torque of 220 Newton meters. The inverter design would be jointly optimized to fulfill all safety requirements in an automotive application. Further, Siemens will provide highly efficient and fast on-board and stale-board charging systems.
Moving towards series production
Volvo Car Corporation starts small-scale production of the Volvo C30 Electric this year, and next year the corporate will start selling the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid.
“Which means we’re moving from prototypes and small volumes towards series production, starting with the plug-in hybrid. Our upcoming new Scalable Platform Architecture paves the style for electrification throughout our model range,” concludes Stefan Jacoby.
The winners of the 2011 Engadget Awards — Readers’ Choice
NPD: Apple grabs over 1 / 4 of the mobile PC business in Q4 2011 (including iPads), HP tops with laptops



