Volvo is taking part in an experiment to see if a typical family can cut their carbon footprint by more than 85 per cent-simply by switching to more sustainable housing, energy and transport solutions.
A partnership between the Swedish car maker, house builder A-hus and energy supplier Vattenfall has lead to the creation of a new project called ‘One Tonne Life’ for which an ordinary Swedish family will be recruited to show to live in an energy-efficient A-hus house and drive the electric C30 for six-months.
The project aims to show how households can cut their CO2 consumption from today’s global average rate of seven tonnes per person per year, to a more sustainable one tonne per person per year – the figure experts believe will minimise the human impact on long-term climate change.
Experts from Chelmer University will track their energy usage of the experiment’s family to see how the new technology changes their habits and improves energy efficiency.
The house will feature state-of-the-art insulation and ventilation systems, plus solar power for hot water, heating and electric appliances. Meanwhile, energy supplier Vattenfall will contribute new technology to measure the family’s electricity consumption in real time.
The family’s Volvo C30 DRIVe Electric will, meanwhile, offer the same safety, comfort and interior space as a conventional petrol or diesel car, but emit no CO2 at all as it is charged using renewable electricity. Powered by a lithium-ion battery that is recharged via a regular wall socket, a full charge takes about eight hours and gives a range of up to 90 miles.
Participation in the ‘One Tonne Life’ project, according to the carmaker, gives Volvo Cars the opportunity to study how the electric car fits in with a modern family’s lifestyle.
Paul Gustavsson, manager of electrification strategy at Volvo Cars, said: "We will draw immense benefit from the project in our on-going development of electric cars. We will get clear information about what we need to deliver so that buyers feel that a battery-powered car is attractive and cost-effective to drive and own."
The house is currently being constructed in Hasselby Villastad in the western parts of Stockholm and the hunt has begun for a family to move in from early 2011.
For more information about the challenge, visit the website at: www.onetonnelife.com.
