GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN – Volvo Car Corporation is working with a consortium of companies to develop an in-vehicle connectivity solution that improve the ability of drivers to recharge the vehicles by locating charging stations and optimizing charging.

The consortium is called ELVIIS (Electric Vehicle Intelligent Infra Structure) and consists of involving Volvo Car Corporation, Ericsson, a utility company called Göteborg Energi, and the Viktoria Institute. The basic model for the charging process using this technology is as follows:

• The driver can choose to charge the battery pack via any ordinary power outlet.

• The outlet is identified via GPS.

• The driver pre-sets timing and charging amount on the touch screen or remotely via a smart phone or tablet.

• Using the mobile network, the car communicates with the grid and sets the charging scheme in order to support optimal utilization of the grid and most favorable energy price.

• Any unintended interruption of charging process is directly reported to the driver's mobile phone.

• The system directs the cost for each charge to the car owner's personal utility bill.

Volvo is testing its C30 Electric in this project. The vehicle is equipped with an integrated 7-inch color touch screen that is designed to provide the information above, either via connected in-vehicle systems or mobile devices (smartphones and tablets). Volvo said the program will evaluate the five C30 Electric cars equipped with this technology for a year.

"Our basic view is that the owner of an electric vehicle shouldn't have to sacrifice any of the properties he or she expects from a luxury car," said Lennart Stegland, Vice President Electric Propulsion Systems, Volvo Car Corporation. "This smart technology for charging in any outlet, and paying automatically via your own electricity bill, is an excellent example of how we do everything to make the daily use easier for the customer."