This is one of the most exciting times in automobile history. For over a century, there’s been no real alternative to the combustion engine. Of course there were plenty of experiments with other engines, but all those projects were a long way away from a car suitable for everyday use. And while there’s always been something fascinating about the electric car – it’s quiet and clean – up to now all its advantages have been cancelled out by the limited range of its battery.
But now, with the Opel Ampera, we’ve solved exactly that problem – an electric car that keeps you mobile as soon as the battery starts to run low. This makes the Ampera the first electric car suitable for everyday use, with a range of more than 500 kilometers and space for four people and their luggage.
Opel has a long tradition of reducing the effects of automobiles on the environment – from our initiative with catalytic converters in the 1980s to our pioneering role with natural gas fuel (CNG). That’s why we will continue to optimize our diesel and gasoline engines as well as provide attractive liquefied gas (LPG) and natural gas (CNG) offers – like our ecoFLEX range. On top of this, we’re also introducing start-stop across the range. Last but not least, we’re moving forward with the development of purely-electric battery cars, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and hybrids. These certainly are exhilarating times for automotive engineers.
But 2011 is the year of the Ampera. We realize that such an innovative vehicle takes a lot of explaining. That’s why my colleagues and I think this blog is so important. We want to introduce you to all aspects of the Ampera – its concept, technology, its suitability for everyday use, how it benefits the environment, and of course how much fun it is to drive.
So read on, and let us tell you all about it first hand. We’re happy to answer your questions, and we’re looking forward to an interesting dialogue with you. I can promise you one thing – it’ll be exciting.
First one
Can you please write it in german, too?
@ Oli schau mal hier!!!
http://www.opel-ampera.com/index.php/ger/ampera_blog
I thank Mrs Forst for this initiative.
I drove the Ampera during the Brussels Auto Show on Jan 17 and it has been an unforgettable experience. I only regret to have been obliged to give it back at the end of the 20 minutes drive.
So I reserved one and I am impatient to know when it will be really available and under which kind of financial arrangement.
I know the purchase price but some interested people around me and myself are more interested in a leasing formula because of the financial risk of the battery technological obsolescence and the uncertainty on the resale value of the used car (with the battery).
Indeed the last news of GM partenering with ENVIA SYSTEMS is a good news as Envia writes on its website that the price of batteries using their technology could be significantly mower than today. From different sources, I found that it is from 30 to 50% lower.
So I’m divided between two positions : to get an Ampera now because I feel it to be important to asap reduce our dependence to oil and our footprint on the environment but to pay a too high price for that or to wait for battery prices going down but continue to use too much oil.
I’ll look at the blog to find more informations.
Thanks for your attention.
JC J
Gibt’s doch schon auf Deutsch: http://www.opel-ampera.com/index.php/ger/ampera_blog
Why cant they put a dynamo on the rar whils to pruduce nesseserry el to the whiecle.(sorry spelling):)
J’ESPERE QUE CELA SERA AUSSI FORMIDABLE QUE SUR LE PAPIER
ETANT CLIENT OPEL DEPUIS 1977
TRES INTERESSE PAR CE CONCEPT
JUSTE UN PETIT BAYMMOL LE PRIX UN PEU EXECESSIF A MON GOUT
JE PENSE CE SERA MA PROCHAINE
MERCI A VOUS
Hi Rita,
How can I communicate directly and privately with the solution to solve your problem of the limited range battery.
Yours Sincerly