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Opel Ampera Electric Car Excels in Real-world Driving Range Test

2011-09-02

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Rüsselsheim.  At the Opel Ampera’s international media presentation in The Hague, Netherlands, last month, more than one thousand journalists had an opportunity to assess the vehicle prior to its launch at the end of the year. One of the tests in the event’s “Eco Drive Contest” involved optimizing the Ampera’s driving range in pure battery-powered mode by using an energy-efficient driving style.

According to the car’s technical specifications, it is possible to cover a distance of up to 80 kilometers in pure electric drive mode on a single charge of the 16 kWh lithium ion battery. The results achieved in normal road traffic conditions were extremely convincing: almost 60 percent of the journalists completed the 73 km test route on battery power and nearly a quarter had sufficient power left to cover at least a further 10 kilometers, according to the vehicle’s range indicator. The most efficient driver could have driven a total distance of 95.3 kilometers on battery power alone – roughly 15 kilometers more than the Ampera’s stated maximum battery-powered range.

None of the participants risked running out of battery power en route because the Ampera’s range-extender, a 1.4-liter gasoline engine, is used to generate power for the 111 kW/150 hp main electric motor if the battery becomes depleted. In this way, the four-passenger vehicle is the first electric car from a European manufacturer that is entirely suitable for everyday use due to a total driving range of more than 500 kilometers.

Assistance functions support efficient driving

The Opel Ampera is not only dynamic on the road and fun to drive. It also makes it easy for the driver to save power. Various functions provide assistance in achieving a particularly energy-saving driving style. They include an efficiency indicator in the Driver Information Center (DIC) and an “efficiency tips” function with valuable advice on how to reduce energy consumption and achieve maximum driving distances.

The economy contest among European motoring journalists will be recognized at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September: the top performers will be honored for their efficient driving at an awards ceremony.