Volvo Exotic Lithium-Powered 3CC Hybrid Electric

It’s been some time since we’ve seen a Volvo concept aimed squarely at the environment. In 1993, Green Car Journal editors test drove Volvo’s innovative Environmental Concept Car, or ECC, a series hybrid electric vehicle that was quite ahead of its time. Created by Volvo’s Monitoring and Concept Center in California, the ECC not only featured an unusually advanced, experimental powerplant, but also a stylish body shell offering design cues that would ultimately find their way into future Volvo production models.

The ECC’s real claim to fame was its high-speed microturbine/generator, a powerplant that enabled long-distance travel in hybrid configuration at SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle) emissions levels, and a 55 mile battery electric-only driving range at PZEV (Partial Zero Emission Vehicle) levels. Now, a dozen years later, the Volvo Monitoring and Concept Center has provided an interesting follow-up with an exotic environmental concept called the 3CC.

Like its predecessor, the Volvo 3CC vehicle blends distinctive Volvo styling cues at its front and flanks. But there’s a sharp departure from traditional styling as this vehicle tapers toward the rear. Overall, the 3CC features dimensions similar to that of a traditional two-seat sports car. But this car goes one better – literally – with a unique two-plus-one seating configuration with two adults up front and an additional seat for another adult or two children behind. Entering and exiting the interior is aided with a floating dash panel that slides forward as the doors swing upward. A sliding seat system also eases the process for rear seat passengers.




The 3CC is designed with a steel space frame and an outer body shell of bond-ed carbon fiber. Composite sandwich floor panels are used for safety and light weight. The car’s front electric drive, which provides 0-60 mph acceleration of about 10 seconds and a governed top speed of 85 mph, is powered by 3,000 lithium-ion batteries packaged within the sandwich floor. The batteries, the same type used in today’s laptop computers, provide a driving range of about 180 miles. Up to 20% of the battery pack’s energy can be recovered by regenerative braking.




Volvo’s 3CC illustrates how this automaker’s vision includes capitalizing on light weight, a small footprint, and innovative powertrains to address future driving needs. This design exercise was a long time coming, but clearly worth the wait.