The Volvo C30 Electric prototype charger
The Volvo flexible charger diagram
The Swedish automaker recently introduced a new technology into its C30 electric car which will enable it to fully charge in only 90 minutes.
Most current generation electric cars require several hours to fully charge their batteries. The electric Nissan Leaf for example takes anywhere between seven and 21 hours to recharge. Volvo started testing a new super fast-charger that it says is up to 6 times more powerful than conventional electric car chargers.
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The new Volvo charger uses a three-phase 440-volt, 32-amp power supply to fully charge the C30 in about one and a half hours while 30 minutes of charge time should be enough to carry the C30 about 50 miles. If you compare this to the charge time C30 users currently have with a 220-volt power which takes about 10 hours to fully charge – this is a dramatic improvement.
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The electric version of the C30 is currently being tested in small quantities around Europe and China. The C30 which has been on trails since last fall has a 111 horse power electric engine and a lithium-ion battery pack capable giving the C30 a range of over 90 miles per charge.
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The C30 EV (electric car) is based on the more conventional Volvo C30 hatchback which will be phased out next year. This should mean that the new super fast charger technology of the C30 will not reach mass audience. However Volvo stated that the technology will be used to develop the next generation electric vehicle for the company.
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TFOT has covered several stories on the development of electric vehicles, including the original Tesla Roadster in 2008, and the Shelby which can reach 60 mph in an amazing 2.5 seconds. Additional stories covering electric and hybrid cars include the Twill, a personal 2-wheel car and the Chevrolet Volt.
