Vauxhall showed its new Ampera ‘extended range electric vehicle’ at The Greener Company Car in Action, fielding questions about its unique technology.

 

The Ampera uses a powerful electric motor to drive the front wheels, but has a small petrol engine on board to charge the battery when its 40-mile range is depleted.

 

It means the wheels are always powered by electricity, a full charge takes three hours, and should drivers need to go farther than 40 miles, the petrol engine will provide an extra 310 miles of range until it needs refuelling.

 

Vauxhall fleet marketing manager Steve Catlin said: “There has been great interest in the car. Our technology is unique and compared with pure electric vehicles with limited range, our customers can see this as a ‘real world’ solution.

 

“Feedback has been extremely positive about the technology, and people also seem very happy with how the car looks.

 

“We’re hoping it will achieve great things for the Vauxhall brand.”

 

As well as the display Ampera, Vauxhall also had the new Meriva, a range of EcoFlex powered models and some emergency vehicles available for testing.