Reliable Battery Not Disturbed by Inclement Weather
The Ampera
is an electric vehicle that can operate in a wide range of weather climates. It
is powered by electricity at all times and speeds. For the first 25-50 miles,
power is supplied by the electricity stored in the 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery.
While driving on electricity delivered by the battery, the Ampera drives free of
gas- and tailpipe-emissions.
Independent research found that about 80
percent of Europeans drive less than 30 miles per day, so the Ampera would meet
their requirements. When the Ampera's battery runs low, the battery can be
recharged in about three hours at 230v by plugging the vehicle's on-board charge
system into a standard outlet. Because the battery can be re-charged quickly,
most Amperas are likely to be driven in battery mode nearly all the time.
If a longer trip is required, the gasoline-fueled engine/generator can
seamlessly extend the total driving range to more than 310 miles on a full tank.
This range-extending technology means the Ampera is suitable for worry-free
daily use by the whole family.
If electric vehicles are to have a
significant benefit on the environment, they must be sold in high volume.
Electric cars like the Ampera - with extended range capability - are the
quickest way to reach this goal because they require few adjustments in
lifestyle.
Opel Ampera: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications