January's Detroit show will host the unveiling of the Volvo C30 battery electric car, which Volvo claims will have a 150-mile electric range, and will be built in a batch of 50 for a 2011 customer trial.

In a riposte to the general criticism that electric cars look weird and have virtually useless ranges, Volvo says of the C30 that it 'features a complete interior and full instrumentation, as well as enhanced battery packaging. The electric C30 looks like a regular Volvo C30 and offers the same safety, comfort, space and four seats as the standard car.'

Sales pitch over. But it bodes well, right? The Swedish Energy Agency has given Volvo 150m SEK (around £13m) towards the project, which will see all 50 cars given to real world customers for two years, though we don't yet know if those people will be charged a lease fee like BMW does for the MINI E.

Performance wise, the electric C30 looks half ok, with a charging time of around eight hours, that 150-mile range and speeds of up to 81mph. The 0-62mph sprint takes less than 11 silent seconds, and Volvo reckons that, all-in-all, the car should be suitable for around 90 percent of motorists. Like the regular C30, though, that precludes motorists that enjoy boot space.