Volvo announced today that it is launching a new partnership with Swedish energy company, Vattenfall, to develop plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. This is actually an extension of a joint project the two companies announced in January. That project was focused on testing the technology.
Under the new plan, Volvo will manufacture the cars and Vattenfall will develop the charging systems. Vattenfall will also allow its customers to sign an agreement to get their power from renewable resources.
The first three demonstration vehicles will be on the road this summer. They will combine a rear-wheel drive electric motor (powered by a lithium ion battery pack) and a front-wheel drive diesel engine.
And Magna International, the Canada-based auto supplier, announced on Saturday that it sees the electrification of vehicles as one of its key strategic initiatives.
You may remember back in January, when Magna and Ford announced the two companies were developing a new Ford battery electric vehicle to be released in 2011. Magna will provide the energy storage system, battery charger, motor controller, and electric traction motor for that vehicle.
Magna International, by the way, was recently given permission by the German government to acquire Opel from GM. It'll be interesting to see how Magna's new love for electrification plays into Opel's future.
Jeff
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