Volvo will unveil its ReCharge plug-in hybrid concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week.

The ReCharge is a specially designed Volvo C30 with individual electric wheel motors and batteries that can be charged via a regular electrical outlet.

Volvo says when fully charged the ReCharge can be driven approximately 62 miles on battery power alone before the car’s four-cylinder 1.6 Flexifuel engine is needed to power the car and recharge the battery.

Magnus Jonsson, senior vice president research & development at Volvo Cars, said: “This plug-in hybrid car, when used as intended, should have about 66% lower emissions of carbon dioxide compared with the best hybrid cars available on the market today.”

The ReCharge can be fully charged at regular electric plug sockets in three hours. A quick one hour charge will provide enough power to cover 30 miles.

“There is a considerable difference between the Volvo plug-in hybrid and today’s hybrids. Today’s hybrids use the battery only for short periods to assist the combustion engine. Volvo’s solution is designed for most people to run on electric power all the time, while providing the extra security that comes with having a combustion engine as a secondary source of power,” said Ichiro Sugioka, project manager for the Volvo ReCharge Concept.