17 March 2010

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Vauxhall Ampera

Any green car enthusiast will have heard of the Chevrolet Volt, widely considered General Motors’ great hope after the global economic crisis that left the company reeling. The Volt is arguably the most talked about vehicle in the USA despite the fact that it won’t leave the production line until 2010. Here in the UK we’ll never see the Volt unless you pick up an import – but we will see the same car under a different brand name, the ‘Vauxhall Ampera’.

History of the Vauxhall Ampera

Is it a hybrid? Is it an electric? Well actually it’s a ‘range extended vehicle’ according to General Motors. The Chevrolet Volt has been causing quite the stir since it first went on display in September 2008 based on GM’s new E-Flex platform.

Unlike most commercially available hybrid vehicles, the Chevrolet Volt achieves its actual propulsion through an electric motor as the internal combustion engine is not mechanically attached to the wheels. It has been built with the aim of satisfying the daily commute of around 75 per cent of Americans as it has a 40 mile range that comes exclusively from its lithium-ion batteries. Meanwhile, those who need to extend their range can fall back on its petrol engine which extends the Volt’s potential range to an incredible 640 miles on a single tank of fuel.

With such hype surrounding the vehicle state-side it was inevitable that it would be eagerly sought after in Europe too. So at the British International Motor Show in July 2008, General Motors announced it would be producing European versions of the Volt that would go on sale in 2011.

One of these vehicles is the Vauxhall Ampera, which was unveiled under the Opel brand name at the Geneva Motor Show in 2009.

Environmental credentials of the Vauxhall Ampera

The Vauxhall Ampera cannot be advertised as a zero emission vehicle as most electrics are (although that in itself is an arguable term until electricity comes from entirely renewable sources) and it is instead described as a range extended vehicle. This is because it is effectively the best of both worlds – for those driving in a city it can run purely on electric power as for most the electric range of 40 miles will be perfectly sufficient for their daily needs. However, for those who need something extra there is a petrol tank to cover any further mileage.

The name E-REV (extended range electric vehicle) is perfectly applicable because there is no mechanical linkage between the engine and the wheels. Effectively it is similar to an electric locomotive in that it features a generator, a storage battery, an electric motor and regenerative braking to create further charge.

The Vauxhall Ampera solves many of the concerns that relate to electric car driving. Many people shy away from electric motoring because the cars cannot fulfil their extended driving needs or because there is a lack of refuelling infrastructure to support these journeys. However, with a petrol engine in place drivers can be assured that they are doing their bit for the environment but still have a safety net.

Vauxhall Ampera statistics

Here are some crucial statistics about the Vauxhall Ampera:

Acceleration: 0-60mph in eight seconds.
Charge time: Three hours.
CO2 emissions: None up to 40 miles.
Range: 40 miles all-electric.
Top speed: 120mph.

Future of the Vauxhall Ampera

The Vauxhall Ampera will go on sale in 2011 and the indicated UK sales price is approximately £20,000. Stay tuned to the latest news section of TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk as more information on this vehicle breaks.

Author: Lee Sibbald, March 26, 2009

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