Car News

Car manufacturer VOLVO has announced it is set to lead the race to develop a new range of plug-in hybrid cars that could offer a glimpse of the future of motoring.

Working with Swedish energy supplier Vattenfall, the company is looking to launch a new range of plug-in hybrid vehicles by 2012.

"There is no doubt that the environmental issue is at the very top of Volvo Cars' product development agenda right now," said Stephen Odell, president and chief executive of Volvo Cars.

"Carbon dioxide emissions from our cars will be drastically reduced by the plan we are now implementing and our aggressive electrification strategy will put us in a leading position when it comes to environmentally optimised passenger transport," he added.

The development of the new vehicles could result in a growing number of older Volvos becoming available in the used car market.

Last week, the RAC Foundation warned the UK government that it could face overwhelming demand for electric vehicles over the next five years.

The organisation believes thousands of motorists could be left disappointed, because current government projections suggest the new cars will not be mass produced until at least 2017.

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