2010 PARIS MOTOR SHOW NEWS SPECIAL
Volvo will be one of the first European car makers to put a fully electric vehicle in showrooms ready for the public to buy.
The Swedish brand plans to introduce a fully electric version of its C30 hatchback next year, starting in Europe, China, Japan and North America.
Australia is also high on the priority list although the C30 EV may not arrive here until 2012.
"It's likely that it will happen for Australia but right now we have so few cars it is difficult to say exactly when it comes," Volvo spokesman Olle Axelson told the Carsales Network at the Paris motor show overnight.
"We are planning a global roll out and there is no reason Australia won't be part of that."
He said Volvo will initially have a fleet of about 250 electric C30s before full production starts in 2011.
Price is yet to be announced but it is not likely to be cheap.
Mitsubishi charges close to $60,000 for its iMiev, the Holden Volt is expected to cost in excess of $65,000, while the Nissan Leaf may scrape in below $40,000.
Volvo Australia spokeswoman Laurissa Mirabelli said that the timing of the Volvo EV would be determined by Government assistance.
"We will introduce (the C30 EV) when the infrastructure is in place and when the right initiatives (tax incentives) are in place," she said. "At the moment it's too early to tell. This is very expensive technology."
The Volvo electric car is fully equipped with the latest Volvo safety and luxury systems, and has a range of about 160km between recharges.
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