The company is a British design and innovation business developing its own hybrid solar technology and finance director Nick Simmons believes the eco-friendly Volvo reflects the technology and ethos of Naked Energy's own hybrid solar technology, Virtu, which has been developed to be versatile and cost effective.

Commenting on the new Volvo, Simmons said: ‘Hybrids make so much sense – the product is simply greater than the sum of the parts. With the V60 PHEV I will enjoy amazing fuel economy and low emissions without sacrificing performance, comfort, practicality or safety. It's great to think that I will be able to power my car from the sun's energy. I'm really excited to be an early adopter and fully expect electric vehicles to be an increasingly important segment of the worldwide automobile market. Alternative energy is becoming mainstream and I am delighted to be playing a small part in the global cleantech revolution.’

The car was delivered by Squire Furneaux Leatherhead, by business specialist Matt Edgington who said: ‘The V60 Plug-In Hybrid is a truly innovative vehicle with ultra low emissions and we are delighted to be the dealership making the first delivery to a customer in the UK. By adopting such vehicles and the kind of technology Naked Energy is developing illustrates how it is becoming far more straightforward to reduce carbon footprint either as an individual or as a company.’

The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid can be driven according to three entirely different temperaments – Pure, Hybrid or Power. In Pure mode the car is powered solely by its electric motor as much as possible. If the battery pack has been recharged with electricity from renewable sources, its range is up to 32 miles with no carbon dioxide emissions from the tailpipe.

Hybrid is the standard setting whenever the car is started and CO2 emissions (NEDC, mixed driving cycle for certification) are 48g/km with a total range of up to 560 miles.

In Power mode the technology is optimised to give the car the maximum possible power. The diesel engine and electric motor have a total power output of 215+70bhp and maximum torque of 325+148lb.ft. Acceleration from 0 to 60mph takes 5.8 seconds.