Volvo Cars has achieved strong sales with its all-electric XC40, C40, and EX30 since 2020, but its electric journey already began in the 1970s with the Elbil.
While the XC40 Recharge marked the brand’s first electric production car, Volvo has been experimenting with compact electric powertrains a while longer.
In 1976, it debuted the Elbil concept car in two formats: a utilitarian two-seater designed for short-distance deliveries and a four-seater city car. Sweden’s state-owned telecommunications company Televerket (in existence 1853-1993), contributed to financing the electric prototype.
The Elbil (“electric car” in Swedish) also served as a statement about the future of mobility. Even in the 1970s, Volvo understood the importance of innovation in sustainability, according to Felipe Yagi, head of marketing and communications at Volvo Car South Africa.
Smaller than a Smart
The Elbil prototype measured less than 2,3 metres long – shorter than a first-generation Smart FourTwo at 2,5m – and nearly half the size of a modern-day Volvo EX30.
The Elbil’s cabin was basic, with little more than a three-spoke steering wheel, two voltmeters, a speedometer, a few basic switches, and a master kill switch. True to Volvo’s commitment to safety, however, the Elbil was equipped with front headrests and three-point seat belts for all passengers.
A 300 kg lead-acid battery pack (about a third of its total weight) powered the Elbil for around 50 km after a receiving a ten-hour charge.
69 km/h top speed
As a power source, two electric motors with an output of 9,5 kW were used on the rear axle. The prototype could reach 69km/h, but Volvo recommended cruising at 48 km/h.
By today’s standards, the Elbil’s range and performance seem modest. The Volvo EX30 Single Motor Extended Range, for instance, can travel up to 476 km on a single charge. However, the Elbil served its purpose well for Televerket employees, who used it to deliver mail and to cover short distances.
The Elbil was never designed for speed, but to transport people and light cargo with zero tailpipe emissions. It’s also worth considering that in many cities worldwide, average driving speeds range between 30 and 50 km/h, while the average daily one-way commute falls between 8 and 30 km.
Super commuter
This made the Elbil’s top speed of 69 km/h and a 50 km range adequate for urban and suburban commutes, though less suited to highway commuting.
For some context, electric runabouts like the Citroën Ami (launched in 2020) and Silence S04 (2022) have similar applications and specifications. By April 2022, Citroën has already sold 22 000 units of the electric Ami in France alone, which makes a strong case for these micro cars.
As is often the case with technology ahead of its time, public interest in Volvo’s compact electric vehicle fell short of expectations. Despite the oil crisis and subsequent high fuel prices of the 1970s, EVs were largely dismissed as impractical and slow, especially compared to the rapid advancements in combustion engine technology and efficiency.
Electrified C30
Thirty-five years after the Elbil’s unveiling, the electric winds of change were being whipped into a hurricane and Volvo revealed the C30 Electric.
Powered by an 83 kW and 220 Nm electric motor, the C30 could accelerate from 0 to 70 km/h in six seconds, before reaching a top speed of 130 km/h.
With a practical range of 150 kilometres per charge, similar to the early Nissan LEAF and BMW i3, the C30 Electric was well suited to meet the daily commuting needs of most drivers.
The car’s 24 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, cleverly positioned to preserve luggage space, could be recharged using a standard 230-volt power socket. A full charge took approximately 10 hours at 10 amps, dropping to 6-8 hours with a 16-amp supply.
Limited supply
Unfortunately, Volvo produced only 250 units, for select European customers. Though it was an early entrant in the EV market, the C30 Electric set the stage for Volvo’s first mass-market electric vehicle, the XC40, which first reached showrooms in 2020.
Unfortunately, Volvo produced only 250 units for “select European customers,” a Volvo website states. Despite its limited production, the C30 Electric served as a pioneering effort that paved the way for Volvo’s first mass-market electric vehicle, the XC40 (shown below), which arrived in showrooms in 2020.
Now click to read about the fully-electric flagship Volvo EX90 due in South Africa later in 2025.
Click to read about Eskom’s Enfield 8000 and South Africa’s fascinating Optimal Energy Joule.
