Volvo Car Corporation and Siemens, Europe’s largest engineering company, will join forces for the development of electric vehicles through an extensive strategic cooperation.

The partnership between the two companies will focus on electric drive technology, power electronics, charging technology and the integration of all those systems in Volvo’s existing C30 Electric project.

“We are very happy to have Siemens as a partner,” said President and CEO of Volvo, Stephan Jacoby. “We are moving ahead quickly in this area and our aim is to be first with the latest electrification technology.”

The electric motors developed by Siemens produce a maximum output of 145HP (108 Kw) and 220 Nm (162.3 lb/ft) of torque. At the end of this year, the first prototypes fitted with Siemens electric motors will begin testing and in late 2012 Volvo will deliver up to 200 cars to its partner’s company fleet in order to be tested and evaluated in real-life conditions.

Volvo plans to begin limited production of the C30 Electric later this year. It will be followed by the Plug-in Hybrid V60 in 2012.

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