Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid production increased

Volvo has announced plans to increase production of the 149mpg Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid.

The estate car is powered by a 212bhp 2.4-litre diesel engine and a 69bhp electric motor, and is able to run on electric power only for 32 miles. As a result the V60 Plug-in Hybrid is one of the cleanest and most efficient cars on the road, – almost twice as economical as the Toyota Prius.

Volvo is initially offering just 1,000 Plug-in Hybrids but the company is planning to ramp up production to between 4,000-6,000 cars in 2013. It has even managed to integrate construction of the Hybrid on to the same line as the standard V60, even though they have around 300 differing parts.

"We are first in the industry to integrate a plug-in hybrid in an established production flow together with other car models," says Peter Mertens, senior vice president research and development at Volvo. "The integration in the standard production flow gives the plug-in hybrid buyer the possibility to choose, in principle, all options available for the standard V60."

The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid is available to order now. but with all 1,000 cars of the initial production run already sold, buyers may have to wait until late in 2013 before the car is delivered.

Due to the fact it can run on electric power alone for such a long distance the Plug-in Hybrid qualifies for a £5,000 government grant. That brings the price down from £47,000 to £42,000.

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