The first batch of cars will mostly be delivered to companies, authorities and government bodies in countries across Europe including Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands and Norway.

Volvo had previously trialled a fleet of 50 cars, starting last autumn, and another was given to a family part of the ‘One Tonne Life’ project, as part of a challenge to reduce emissions for a six month period.

Production will place alongside the conventional C30 at the manufacturer’s factory in Ghent, before the cars are shipped to Göteborg for their electric motor, batteries and model-specific parts. The carmaker says it expects to build around 250 by the end of 2012.

Designed to be as close to regular models as possible, the C30 Electric packages its batteries where the fuel tank usually sits and in the central tunnel of the floorpan, meaning no changes to the boot. The car is recharged from a household socket with a full charge taking seven hours and giving 93 miles of range.