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Vauxhall Ampera qualifies for Plug-In Car Grant of £5000 | 14 December 2010 |
Vauxhall has announced today that its revolutionary Ampera Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV) will cost under £30k when it hits UK showrooms in early 2012, bringing the reality of a technologically sophisticated, electrically-driven, family car with an uncompromised driving range firmly into the mainstream.
After taking advantage of the £5000 Plug-In Car Grant, customers will pay just £28,995 for the Ampera. And it’s not just the price that impresses; with the efficiency of up to 50 miles range on battery power, free TFL congestion charge, no Vehicle Excise Duty payments and 5% company car taxation, Ampera’s overall running costs will be extremely low.
The Vauxhall Ampera is the only real-world electric car solution for a family. It is extremely efficient, unique in the market and has a number of operating modes, maximising performance in all circumstances. Its 50 mile battery electric drive range exceeds the UK’s average commuting distance but when a longer journey is required, Ampera’s range-extender engine/generator produces electricity on board. The generator engages seamlessly once the battery has reached a minimum level of charge. The 50-mile battery electric range is thus extended by 310 miles permitting the driver to travel up to 360 miles without the need for recharging or refuelling.
A full charge for Ampera’s battery can be achieved in less than four hours via a domestic 240v electricity socket at an average cost of around £1, depending on tariff. Commuting within the 50 mile range will ensure very low running costs on battery electric drive only.
Vauxhall is offering the exciting opportunity to become an ePioneer and be amongst the first to own an Ampera. For a £150 fully refundable reservation fee, potential customers can register at www.vauxhall-ampera.co.uk where they can pre-order an Ampera and also access exclusive events and opportunities in the build up to launch. There is no commitment to purchase.
http://www.greencarsite.co.uk/electric-vehicles-cars.htm
I am just not a huge fan of the electric car because of the batteries. Batteries are extremely toxic and the life cycle of batteries are extremely low compared to the life of a car.
ReplyDeletehttp://doyourpart.com/eco-news/are-electric-cars-really-environmentally-friendly/
Glen, I agree that the batteries are extremely toxic; however, I disagree about the life cycle of the batteries. I tried to go on the website you cited, but it is currently down. I did find this site that contradicts your listed source. Here's an excerpt:
Delete"As far as Toyota is concerned, the life of the Prius is defined as 180,000 miles, and the nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery is expected to stay perky at least that long. Toyota stands behind that claim with a more-than-respectable battery warranty: 100,000 miles or eight years, in 42 states. In the eight other states that have adopted higher standards, it is 150,000 miles or 10 years."
That's quite longer than most battery warranties for regular gas engine cars.
http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=542377