Volvo ReCharge Concept:

Plug-in hybrid with battery-only range of 100 km — and Flexifuel engine for backup power

Volvo Cars is introducing the Volvo ReCharge Concept, a plug-in hybrid with individual electric wheel motors and batteries that can be recharged via a regular electrical outlet for maximum environmental benefit.

Recharging allows the car to be driven about 100 kilometers on battery power alone before the car's four-cylinder Flexifuel engine is needed to power the car and recharge the battery.

Volvo ReCharge Concept makes its debut in a specially designed Volvo C30 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. …

Full release, photos and videos at AutoReport

This and the Volt showcase the sensible way forward with Hybrid tech.

This and the Volt showcase the sensible way forward with Hybrid tech.

So sensible that we have to wait until 2015?

People talk about parallel hybrids as being "too complex", when in fact they've been with us for 10 years now, and everyday you can see moving examples of them on the road. Series hybrids, which are touted as being "simpler", face the same (or greater) issues with battery management. Series hybrids also cost a whole lot more.

They cannot make it. It is fiscally impossible as based on some numbers I calculated and assumed off my ass, Volvo's customer has to spend $25,000 per kilometer, while the total cost of the prius is the same. Prius and Toyota lead in technolgy of hybrids and they know what battery and motors have to offer.

Volvo is throwing dirt in the eyes of the customers and getting positive media just as GM is doing with Volt.

GXT