Eco Factor: Zero-emission all-electric vehicle burns ethanol for heat.
Volvo recently showcased its all-electric ride, the C30, which was stated to burn ethanol or something. The company has now disclosed the details and has stated that the zero-emission vehicle uses an onboard liquid-fuel heater to heat the batteries and the cabin.
Heating the batteries or the cabin with power from the electric batteries used for mobility reduces the range by up to 40 percent. The company has increased the performance of the car with a gasoline heater adapted to burn E85. The 6KW heater allows the batteries to be used for mobility.
The car is expected to make it to the U.S. after 2013, where the ethanol heater could eventually be replaced by a standard gasoline heater.
Via: AutoBlogGreen
