A new Volvo Chicago electric car was on display at Detroit’s Auto Show in January.  The new model, C30, looks to be an electric car worth seeing if you are interested in a hybrid-type model.

The C30′s lithium ion-battery can be charged at a home outlet, or a roadside station.  The auto takes approximately 8 hours to fully charge.  This Volvo’s battery weighs 617 pounds and helps power the car from 0 to 60 in 10.5 seconds.  When the battery is fully charged the car’s top speed hits 81 mph and the travel distance is 93 miles.  I am really considering a trip to my local Chicago Volvo dealership once the C30 comes to the US market in 2012.

An area that Volvo will still keep up it’s standards in is safety.  Many of their models, such as the Chicago C70, have received high marks in safety features.  In fact, crash testing on some C30 prototypes is in the process.   Let’s hope the tests gets the highest marks possible!

This Volvo Chicago model will seat 4 people and offer the same comfort features as other models, like the Chicago C70.  Another advantage is that the C30 is designed to give off  0 grams of carbon emissions, which is awesome for the environment.   The cost of owning an electric vehicle is less than a gasoline powered auto over time too.  Saving money is rarely a negative!

Right now, the C30 is in the concept and developing stage, so it won’t go on sale at your Chicago Volvo dealership for a few years yet!  Until then, new and used Volvo Chicago autos are waiting to be bought!