VOLVO is unveiling an innovative plug-in hybrid at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The ReCharge Concept is a specially designed Volvo C30 with individual electric wheel motors and batteries that can be charged via a regular electrical outlet.

When fully charged, the Volvo ReCharge Concept can be driven about 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.

The concept car also retains the Volvo C30's lively and sporty drive thanks to an acceleration figure of 0-62mph in nine seconds and a top speed of 100mph.

Magnus Jonsson, senior vice-president of research and development at Volvo Cars, said: "This is a groundbreaking innovation for sustainable transportation.

"This plug-in hybrid car, when used as intended, should have about 66 per cent lower emissions of carbon dioxide compared with the best hybrid cars available on the market today.

"A person driving less than 60 miles per day will rarely need to visit a filling station."

Operating costs are estimated to be about 80 per cent lower compared to a similar petrol-powered car when using battery power alone - and even drivers who cover more than the battery-only range will benefit from the ReCharge Concept.

For a 150km (93-mile) drive starting with a full charge, the car will require less than 2.8 litres of fuel, giving the car an effective fuel economy of 124mpg.

The only extra cost will be the electricity used during charging. The Volvo ReCharge Concept can be charged at any regular electric plug socket at convenient locations such as at home or work and a full recharge will take three hours.

Even a one-hour charge provides enough power to cover just over 30 miles.

During a journey the combustion engine starts up automatically when 70 per cent of the battery power has been used up.

However, the driver also has the option of controlling the four-cylinder Flexifuel engine manually via a button in the control panel. This allows the driver to start the engine earlier in order to maximise battery charge.