Volvo is striving to enter the zero-emissions, battery-powered arena by 2012, having initiated the development of a fuel cell that can extend the electric car's operating range without any carbon dioxide emissions.

The battery-powered C30 DRIVe Electric has already been developed, and now research has been expanded into fuel cell technology. Volvo is bypassing the usual compressed hydrogen fuel tanks and utilising a range extender that runs on conventional petrol. A fuel converter extracts hydrogen gas from the fuel. The hydrogen is then turned into electricity within the fuel cell and used to drive the C30's electric motor. The end product is electrical energy, emitting only water and a small amount of carbon dioxide.

The current C30 DRIVe Electric is rated for 93 miles. With the range extender, the new breed of C30s will have a combined range of 248 miles. Volvo also states that the technology can be adapted for renewable fuels.

Volvo will produce two prototype cars based on the current Volvo C30 DRIVe Electric. Testing of the cars will begin in 2012.

Thom Hudson - 28 Oct 2010