Opel Delivering First Amperas

Opel has begun delivering the first range-extended Amperas to customers in Europe. GM has received 6,000 European orders so far for the Ampera including UK orders. It intends on selling 10,000 in Europe by the end of the year. 

The Ampera uses a 16kWh battery pack that produces 150hp and 370Nm of torque with an 80km range. The gasoline engine activates when the battery is running low to charge the battery and allows for another 500km of range. It will accelerate to 100km/h in nine seconds. 

The majority of Amperas so far have been sold to fleet and business customers especially Lease Plan, ALD and Europcar.

Sales in America of the Chevrolet Volt have been slow. It managed to sell 7,700 in 2011. Although it was only sold in the entire country for about half of the year.