The upgraded C30 has a new Siemens motor with a peak power output of 89 kilowatt (120 horsepower), allowing the C30 electric to accelerate from 0 to 70 kilometers per hour (43.5 mph) in 5.9 seconds.

“Adding the innovative fast charging solution will radically improve the time and mileage for the daily usage of the car. This will drastically improve the cost of ownership since the customer will now be able to drive many low cost kilometers per day. A quick 10-minute plug-in adds power for another 20 kilometres of driving,” said Lennart Stegland, vice president Electric Propulsion Systems, Volvo Car Group.

Siemens is the main supplier of electric propulsion power train components for Volvo’s forthcoming Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, which the company said enables sophisticated electrification at all levels – from different kinds of hybrids to pure electric drive, without intruding on interior or load space.

The upgraded C30 has a new 22-kilowatt fast charger, which is, according to Volvo, the world’s first on-board charger that operates on a three-phase supply and is small enough to be fitted in an electric car.

Using a three-phase outlet, a charge takes 1.5 hours, allowing a total range of 164 kilometers (101 miles) according to NEDC certification driving cycle. An ordinary single-phase 230 V household outlet takes between 8 and10 hours, depending on the available current.

“We’re proud to have developed this unique solution. By offering more usable hours a day, we’ve taken an important step towards making electric cars more viable as a commercial proposition, in both the private and public sectors,” said Stegland.

Volvo said the upgraded Volvo C30 Electric fleet meets the same high quality and safety standards as all other Volvo cars, including a dynamic driving experience and a comfortable climate, no matter what the temperature. The fuel cost is significantly lower than that for conventional cars, saving up to 2/3 of the cost, depending on fuel prices.

“Volvo is, and has always been, a human centric carmaker. The same focus and dedication that’s delivered world-class safety solutions is now focused on producing dynamic, intuitive and flexible electrified cars,” adds Stegland.

The strategic partnership between Volvo Car Group and Siemens was formed in August 2011 with the intention to jointly spearhead the development of electrified cars.

“Our aim is to be first with the latest technology within electrification. The new C30 Electric fleet will give us continuous feedback on technology and functionality as we approach a future series production,” Stegland says.

The post Upgraded Volvo C30 EV In Hands Of Customers This Summer appeared first on HybridCars.com.

The new generation of chargers will be slimmer, sleeker, and Fuji said they will suit a wider variety of applications and site locations.

This marks the fourth generation of DC Quick Charger for the power electronics manufacturer, having launched the first model overseas in 2008 before entering North America’s EV market in March 2012.

“Over the past five years we have remained focused on continually improving our product to adapt to the evolving needs of EV owners and station owners,” said Larry Butkovich, general manager of EV Systems for Fuji Electric Corp. of America. “We’ve taken proven technology from our other businesses and applied them in new ways, such as the use of our ultra-reliable power supply and high-speed MOSFETs in our DC Quick Charger.”

Fuji Electric said it has emphasized the importance of using heavy duty material in the construction of its charging station to ensure durability in public locations.

Fuji says on its website that this new generation of level 3 chargers offers the ability to charge a 25 kilowatt-hour electric vehicle battery in less than 60 minutes.

Also, the integration of ChargePoint in the DC Quick Charger offers users the convenience of locating and reserving available stations via ChargePoint mobile phone applications for iPhone and Android, while being able to manage the cost of charging.

Two months after introducing a publicly available charging station at California’s Residence Inn San Juan Capistrano, station data shows a total distribution of nearly 2 Mwh of energy, averaging five users per day.

“The success we’re seeing with the charging station at the Residence Inn has reaffirmed our belief that the development of DC Quick Charging infrastructure is critical to the long-term success of the EV industry,” said Phil Charatz, President and CEO of Fuji Electric Corp. of America. “Fuji Electric will continue to invest heavily in R&D to manufacture products that will further enhance the EV owner’s experience and reduce the total cost of ownership for station owners.”

The new UL—Certified charger was recently displayed at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, NV and is compliant with CHAdeMO standards, meeting all requirements for both small and large-scale installations.

The new model will be available for sale in North America in February 2013.

The post New Fuji Electric Quick Charger To Be Available In February appeared first on HybridCars.com.