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Vauxhall has announced today that its Ampera Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV) will cost under £30,000 when it hits UK showrooms in early 2012, after taking advantage of the £5,000 plug-in car Government grant.

The Vauxhall boasts a 50 mile battery electric drive range, which Vauxhall believes exceeds the UK's average commuting distance. However, if you need to go on a longer journey, the Ampera's range-extender engine/generator produces electricity on board.

The Vauxhall Ampera differs from standard hybrid cars because the electric motor is powered by a lithium-ion battery. The small petrol engine does not drive the wheels under speeds of 70mph, instead it charges the battery to boost the range to 360 miles.

Fully recharging the Vauxhall Ampera takes less the 4 hours through a 240V electricity socket, at an average cost of around 1 GBP, and overall the car will have extremely low running costs.

The Vauxhall Ampera price list starts at 28,995 GBP. The benefit of buying a Vauxhall Ampera is that you won't have to pay the TFL congestion charge, Vehicle Excise Duty payments and 5% company car taxation. The Vauxhall Ampera price is also lowered by the 5000 GBP Plug-In Car Grant.





Press Release

• Announced today - Ampera qualifies for Plug-In Car Grant of £5000
• Customers to pay £28,995 after benefiting from grant
• UK’s first extended-range electric vehicle now an uncompromised reality for families
• Up to 50 miles battery only commuting with 360-mile range when needed
• Opportunity to become a Vauxhall Ampera ‘ ePioneer’

Luton – 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 numberof 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 willensure very low running costs on battery electric drive only.

Become an ePioneer

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.

The same website also offers much more information on the Vauxhall Ampera and includes Facebook, Twitter and YouTube links.