Volvo begins road tests of EV in Shanghai

Volvo's has announced that trials of its C30 electric car have begun with the Shanghai International Autocity Development Co demonstrating it around the Jiading district.

Volvo, now owned by Zhejiang Geely, has already tested the car in Sweden, Paris and Los Angeles and so far only plans limited production. It is powered by a 24 kWh lithium battery pack that offers a range of up to 150 kilometres on a single charge, with a maximum speed of 130 km/h.

According to Xinhua, China is awash with electric car tests. Honda is also testing an electric car in the southern city of Guangzhou preparing for a planned production of EVs at its joint venture Guangqi Honda next year, initiating the test as Volvo announced its.

Toyota has been testing its plug-in hybrid Prius since the end of last year in conjunction with a local institute in Tianjin while European carmakers BMW and Volkswagen also have had electric models on China's roads.

The Chinese government is strongly encouraging development of electric vehicles and has offered subsidies and other benefits for automakers and buyers to accelerate the process.