Trust Swedish Volvo to design an electric car able to withstand extreme cold. It has been a major concern in the development of the first electric models, that fluctuations in temperature will negatively affect the driving range offered by the car’s batteries. However, good ol’ Volvo has come to the rescue and proven that cold can be conquered. The car maker has been testing its C30 electric model in temperatures as low as –20 C (cold enough for you?) to ensure that its first electric car runs smoothly whatever the conditions outside.
In fact, the car maker says that test on the as-yet limited production car have been just as tough as on any of its combustion models and has even endured several additional tests developed especially for electric cars. All in all, over 200 different tests have been performed.
"We must ensure that the C30 Electric performs as intended when driving, parking and charging in a variety of conditions, from normal to very cold or hot. Northern Sweden is the perfect place to do sub-zero temperature testing," says Lennart Stegland, director of Volvo Cars’ Special Vehicles.
Keeping warm
Volvo’s secret to ensuring the C30 electric is ready for mother nature’s worst is the three climate systems designed to keep ideal temperatures. One supplies the passengers with heating or cooling, one cools or warms the battery pack as necessary to keep it at optimum temperature while the electric motor and power electronics are water-cooled.
Climate control in the passenger compartment takes place via a bio-ethanol powered heater fitted in all cars to allow passengers to keep warm without draining the car’s battery of charge. The ethanol tank- used as a unique heating solution for an electric car-can carry 14.5 litres of bio-ethanol, to keep passengers happy throughout their journey.
It is also possible to run the climate unit on electricity from the batteries, especially handy if you can’t get your mitts on bio-ethanol fuel (E85). In electric mode an immersion heater warms up the coolant in the climate unit.
"The driver can program and control the climate unit to suit the trip. Ethanol is the default mode that is used when the battery capacity is needed for driving, extending mobility to its maximum. However, on shorter distances electricity can be used to power the climate system," explains Lennart Stegland.
Volvo is set to produce 250 C30 electric cars from Q3 of this year. These first models will be used in trials with authorities and public bodies in its native Sweden.
