British-built electric car to rival Tesla S
A British-built electric car with a range of 300 miles looks set to provide stiff competition for the eagerly-awaited successor to the Tesla Roadster electric sports car – the Tesla S saloon.
The £20,000 Vauxhall Ampera could be on sale in three years and boasts a specification that could dramatically boost the popularity of electric cars and provide a life line for the beleaguered British car industry into the bargain.
What makes the Ampera different?
The Ampera can be charged from a domestic electricity supply and can travel 40 miles on battery power alone, but what makes the car a rival to conventionally-powered cars is the fact that its range can be boosted to 300 miles – the battery can be topped up on the move by a small petrol-driven generator, which runs constantly and at peak efficiency when called upon.
A hybrid car like the Toyota Prius is different because it can only travel a very modest distance on battery power alone and at all times it is powered by a 1.5 litre petrol engine.
| The Vauxhall Ampera | What makes it different from other electric cars? |
|---|---|
| Range on battery power alone | 40 miles |
| Range boosted by petrol generator | 300 miles |
| Cost of full charge | £1 |
| Top speed | 100mph |
| Cost | £20,000 |
| The technology explained |
An electric vehicle for one-car famillies
There is currently no mass-produced electric car on sale in Britain with a range that would allow a 100-mile trip without a lengthy stop to re-charge its batteries, which means that they are not suitable for most one-car families.
A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “Most drivers cover no more than 30 miles each day, but they want the option to drive further – the Ampera will make an electric vehicle an option for millions of motorists.”
Related electric car articles:
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Electric car with five seats launched
New electric MPV boasts 400km range
China launches electric car with £5000 discount
London taxis may go electric
What is the ETA?
The ETA is an ethical organisation providing motorists and cyclists with carbon-neutral breakdown cover and insurance products. As well as encouraging responsible driving to reduce carbon, the ETA campaigns for sustainable transport.