The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Review

By Joseph Tohill

Hybrid vehicles have really taken off in recent years as Americans look toward more fuel efficient and environmentally-friendly alternatives to petroleum based transportation. But if there is one lingering complaint to be lodged against hybrid vehicles, it’s that they are not as powerful as many traditional cars.

Volvo has come up with a response to such lingering doubts in the form of a diesel-electric hybrid: the Volvo V60 PHEV, its latest entry into the plug-in hybrid market. With a range of 600 miles per tank of gasoline and 286 horsepower, the V60 is not an automobile to be trifled with.

But how effectively does it straddle the line between power and cleanliness? Will the Volvo V60 be an attractive option in the US market?

I’ll try to answer some of those questions by providing a close-up analysis of the Volvo V60 PHEV.

Volvo V60 PHEV Specs

The Volvo V60 features a 12kWh lithium-ion battery pack with enough juice for 30 miles of city driving (when using only the battery). The battery delivers a 70 horsepower completely emissions-free driving experience.

Fueling the car is a 45 litre (12 gallon) diesel tank that adds torque and power. But the great thing about diesel is that it is a much denser fuel than gasoline. As a result, the combination of electric and diesel power gives the car a fuel efficiency of 149 mpg.

Driving Modes

One of the key features of the Volvo V60 is its ability to change between different driving modes. Altogether, there are 3 driving modes: pure, hybrid, and power. Each mode offers a unique driving experience depending on the driver’s particular preferences.

In “pure” mode, the Volvo V60 offers emissions-free driving through its battery. The driver can achieve about 30 miles of range before the diesel engine kicks in. In “hybrid” mode, the car uses both battery and diesel to power the engine, providing the driver with the best of both worlds. Finally, in “power” mode, the driver can unleash the full potential of the car by relying exclusively on diesel. In power mode, the car can go from 0 – 60 mph in 6.9 seconds.

In terms of handling, most initial reviews have suggested the car fluidly shifts between each driving mode. It has excellent handling and enough power to tow a trailer. For individuals looking for a hybrid that features both power and cleanliness, the Volvo V60 PHEV is likely the right choice for them.

Is The Volvo V60 PHEV a Good Fit For The American Market

So far the Volvo V60 has been a prominent showpiece in European showrooms and will likely be a big hit in the European market. However, Volvo’s plans to release the V60 in the US are still unknown. Given the lingering hesitancy some Americans still have about embracing hybrid technology, one would think the Volvo V60 would be a solid choice for US consumers.

My suspicion is that Volvo is waiting to see how well the car does in Europe (where Volvo’s are already a popular choice) before tackling the American market later in 2013. 

Joseph Tohill is a freelance writer and online communications specialist for organizations in the sustainability sector. He has a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of British Columbia and spent most of his academic career studying sustainable urban development; namely the interdisciplinary relationship between built form and natural environment.

Growth In Green Jobs: Current Trends and Future Projections

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By Joseph Tohill

Every month, the number of Americans employed in the clean economy increases. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) green jobs in the country now total 3.1 million. Nearly 1 million Americans are employed in the clean energy sector, with 46,000 clean energy jobs added in the first three months of this year. The green building sector boasts 661,000 jobs, constituting fully one-third  of the design and construction workforce in the US.

Such strong green job numbers have left clean economy skeptics wondering: why does the green sector continue to grow despite a rocky global economy? Why do green jobs continue to increase?

The Profitability in Going Green

Technological improvements, government policies, and concern over the environment have all contributed to an expansion in the green economy. Companies are incorporating sustainability in their business operations because it can both improve their corporate image and increase their bottom line.

A new executive level position has even been created to manage environmental/social issues: the Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO). As of 2005, 150 of the biggest corporations all have CSOs with the rank of vice-president or higher.

Furthermore, buildings are increasingly designed to LEED standards and net-zero construction is at the forefront of new building technology. Such an emphasis on sustainability and green infrastructure has created a demand for skilled workers with environmental backgrounds. Viewed in this context, it should come as little surprise that green jobs are on the rise.

Despite an insecure global economy, the green sector is continuing to grow as companies look to maintain a green image and improve profitability.

The Value of Green Jobs

Recent college graduates are beginning to see the benefits of incorporating some facet of sustainability in their education. But the great thing about green jobs is that they incorporate a whole range of skill-sets.

Indeed, the label “green job” can apply to a number of different professions. According to the BLS, a green job is any form of employment that provides goods or services that help the environment or conserve natural resources. As a result, both environmental planning and solar panel installation are green jobs – however, they both require different educational requirements.

Therefore, green jobs are not some exclusive professions reserved for a select group of individuals. Green jobs are professions that cut through every income group and educational field.

Future Green Job Trends

Although renewable energy will likely remain one of the strongest elements of the green economy (as fossil fuel prices increase and renewable energy technology gets cheaper), there are two other areas where green jobs are expanding.

In the green building sector, the focus is shifting from improving energy efficiency to creating net-zero buildings. Net-zero buildings require a more integrated approach to construction, as reducing the entire carbon footprint of a building requires different professions to work together towards the construction of the building. Although this may not require additional workers, it does necessitate additional environmental backgrounds and training.

Secondly, green infrastructure has shown a remarkable increase over the past few years as more and more electric vehicles hit the market. Although the EV market is still in its early stages, businesses in all sectors have been quick to provide EV infrastructure for their customers. EV charging stations are now featured in parking lots, office buildings, retail outlets, airports, and stadiums.

The expansion in EV infrastructure has also created a wave of new green jobs. And these jobs do not just include the installation of the actual charging stations. The EV economy has created a range of other jobs too, such as software developers for EV charging “apps” and marketing professionals. As the EV market continues to expand, so too will the number of green jobs in this area.

Things are continuing to look up for the green economy as green jobs continue to increase. And as the US continues its economic recovery, green jobs will likely feature prominently in the country’s trajectory of development into the future.

Joseph Tohill is a freelance writer and online communications specialist for organizations in the sustainability sector. He has a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of British Columbia and spent most of his academic career studying sustainable urban development; namely the interdisciplinary relationship between built form and natural environment.

Vancouver Turns To EVs to Advance Its Green Agenda

By Joseph Tohill

For the past 10 years, the city of Vancouver has worked hard to establish itself as a green hub on the West Coast. It boasts a bustling green economy, alternative transportation networks, and LEED certified civic buildings. But for a city that prides itself on its green values, it has until recently been surprisingly devoid of electric vehicles and EV infrastructure.

Such a glaring gap in its sustainable image had left many Vancouverites asking why the city, that devotes considerable resources to promoting the green economy, would be so weak when it comes to electric vehicles. After all, Vancouver features a dense urban core, mixed use developments, and many of its residents are environmentally conscious. It would seem an optimal place to invest heavily in EVs.

In a sudden reversal of the trend, the present city council has decided to make EV ownership a priority in Vancouver.

The city has increased its EV fleet from 3 to 16, with the purchase of 13 new Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric vehicles. Another 17 EVs are slated for purchase in 2013. Mayor Gregor Robertson hopes Vancouver will boast the greenest municipal vehicle fleet in the country in less than a year.

EV Charging Stations in Vancouver

But of course, all of this emphasis on EV ownership will mean nothing without the requisite infrastructure. EV charging stations are still a rare sight in Vancouver, although they have been springing up in increasing numbers over the past year.

Surprisingly, the commercial sector has been leading the charge in Vancouver’s EV infrastructure.

Several parkades in the downtown core feature charging stations, and the large Ikea complex in the suburb of Richmond features an array of charging stations (Ikea has plans to construct EV charging stations at all its retail outlets).

Meanwhile, the city owns only 6 charging stations, 3 of which are located directly outside of city hall. The city has big plans to increase the number of EV charging stations, however, with 67 planned for later this year and 2013.

Although there are only 40 EVs registered in the city of Vancouver, it will be interesting to see how this number increases with improved accessibility to charging stations.

Why Vancouver is Ideal for EVs

In a lot of ways, Vancouver is an ideal city to host EVs.

Due to its geography, Vancouver is densely packed around its urban core. The mountains to the North and Fraser River to the South force new urban space to develop vertically. Furthermore, Vancouver’s planning department has been pursuing mixed use developments for several decades, meaning people often live close to where the work.

As a result of its geography and city plan, driving distances for city dwellers are relatively short. Consequently, “range anxiety” would be less of an issue for Vancouver’s urban inhabitants that both live and work within Vancouver’s municipal boundaries.

Finally, the vast majority of Vancouver’s electricity is generated via hydro-power. This means that the electricity EVs in Vancouver use to juice up is relatively clean.

Although Vancouver’s EV economy is still in its early stages, the city’s recent EV investments could turn it into one of the greenest transportation hubs in the country. 

Joseph Tohill is a freelance writer and online communications specialist for organizations in the sustainability sector. He has a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of British Columbia and spent most of his academic career studying sustainable urban development; namely the interdisciplinary relationship between built form and natural environment.

SemaConnect Embarks on “Customer Outreach RoadTrip”

SemaConnect Embarks on

“Customer Outreach RoadTrip”

Leader in Production of Electric Vehicle Charging Solutions Plans Nationwide Trip to Ensure Customer Satisfaction

BOWIE, MD – September 5, 2012 – SemaConnect, the leader in commercial electric vehicle charging stations, has announced that they are kicking off their “Customer Outreach Road Trip” this week. The goal of the nationwide tour is to visit electric vehicle charging site locations in order to meet with electric vehicle drivers and charging station owners and survey usage to obtain feedback on the charging experience.

The SemaConnect van will be traveling across the country and we are asking anyone who spots the van on the road to send in a photo of the van and they will receive a free gift. Our Facebook, blog and Twitter sites will be updated daily to let people know in which state and city the van is traveling.

“This nationwide road trip is our way of connecting with our customers and ensuring their complete satisfaction,” said Mahi Reddy, CEO/Founder of SemaConnect. “SemaConnect is now a nationwide leader in providing electric vehicle charging stations and we need to keep the lines of communication open with our customers in order to continue our steady growth. It’s also a great opportunity for us to learn what our customers need and how we can best meet those needs.”

To connect with SemaConnect:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/SemaConnect/133322143371640

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Sema_Connect

Blog: http://semaconnect.blogspot.com/

About SemaConnect

SemaConnect is the leading provider of electric vehicle charging solutions and sophisticated software for

station owners and electric vehicle drivers. SemaConnect’sChargePro Charging Stations are wirelessly

networked on their SemaCharge™ Network and offer advanced features such as smart-grid integration,

RFID card authentication, sustainability reporting and more. ChargePro stations can be found at

municipal, parking, multifamily, office, hotel and retail locations nationwide. Visit www.semaconnect.com

to learn more about owning, managing or using a ChargePro.

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We're in Ohio!

Drove through Ohio today to visit the ChargePro stations and was welcomed with open arms. I stopped at Dublin Mall, Upper Vally Mall, Lima Mall, and Cincinnati Premium Outlets and was excited to answer everyone who approached with questions and comments. I even had a couple, at Cincinnati Premium Outlets, tell me that they are currently trying to decide on which plug-in vehicle to purchase since they saw the stations being installed! Way to go ChargePro!!!