Skip advert
Advertisement

Vauxhall Ampera

The Vauxhall Ampera's innovative range-extending powertrain wins it our Green Award

Manufacturers are working harder than ever to make their cars more eco-friendly, so it’s a testament to Vauxhall’s brilliant Ampera that it wins our Green Award for the second year on the trot.

Vauxhall news and reviews

It’s no longer the only plug-in petrol electric model on sale, but it’s still the best. At the heart of the car’s appeal is its effective range-extending electric powertrain, which promises the zero emissions benefits of an electric car with the long-distance peace of mind of a traditional petrol or diesel model.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Despite its cutting-edge engineering, the concept behind the Ampera, and its Chevrolet Volt sister car, is fairly simple. A lithium-ion battery pack gives the powerful 148bhp electric motor a range of around 40 miles, at which point a traditional 1.4-litre petrol engine fires up to take the car another 300 miles.

But what separates the Vauxhall from its plug-in rivals is the fact that power to the wheels always comes from the electric motor, meaning you benefit from smooth and silent running all the time – only when you work the car hard does the noise of the petrol generator become intrusive.

And as long as you plug into the mains at least once a day, you should get close to the 235mpg claimed fuel economy and remarkable 27g/km CO2 emissions. Of course, this technology doesn’t come cheap, but the recent introduction of a £29,995 entry-level Ampera means you can now drive the future 
for the price of a BMW 320d.

Van of the Year

Skip advert
Advertisement
Continue Reading

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering
Opinion - Shanghai Auto Show

Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering

This new brand of cars might have battery tech on their side, but European buyers want much more than that
Opinion
25 Apr 2025
Buying a modern used car for under £10k is almost impossible
Opinion - £10k used cars

Buying a modern used car for under £10k is almost impossible

Phil McNamara discovers that it’s harder than ever to find a good-value car at the affordable end of the market
Opinion
24 Apr 2025
Leapmotor B05 family hatch on route to the UK with sub-£30k price and 400-mile range
Leapmotor badge

Leapmotor B05 family hatch on route to the UK with sub-£30k price and 400-mile range

The Stellantis-backed brand will launch a Volkswagen ID.3-rivalling small car with almost 20 per cent more range
News
23 Apr 2025