Vauxhall is the latest vehicle manufacturer to showcase its products in SMMT’s modern exhibition space located in the heart of Westminster. The record-breaking Astra Sports Tourer, manufactured in the UK at Ellesmere Port, is on display alongside the company’s new Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV), the Ampera.
High demand for the Astra Sports Tourer model has helped to break record production line rates at the Ellesmere Port plant. An average 47 cars per hour have rolled off the line since July 2011, with 91% of Sports Tourers bound for export to mainland Europe.
The propulsion system in the Ampera model is different to “parallel hybrid” vehicles, as power to the Ampera’s wheels is provided directly via the electric drivetrain at all times. On board is a compact petrol-powered generator, the sole purpose of which is to supply electricity when you want to drive beyond the range of the battery. This gives the car a range of 25 to 50 miles in electric-only mode, or up to 360 miles in range-extended mode.
The Ampera is eligible for the full £5,000 from the government’s Plug-In Car Grant. It also qualifies for no Vehicle Excise Duty, first year capital allowances, 50% discount on Benefit in Kind and is London Congestion Charge exempt.
SMMT has published the Electric Car Guide to help motorists make more informed decisions when purchasing an EV. Presented in an easy to understand Q&A-style format, the free publication addresses some of the common queries relating to electric vehicles including information about batteries, charging, vehicle performance, on-the-road costs, government incentives and safety.
Click through to download the SMMT Electric Car Guide.
Those interested in finding out more about the Vauxhall Ampera can visit the dedicated site at www.vauxhall-ampera.co.uk.
The exhibition space at SMMT can hold multiple vehicles with or without additional smaller exhibits (engines, design canvases, drivetrains, chassis, technology demonstrators, simulators etc) and is reserved solely for the use of SMMT members.
Click through the slideshow below to see all the photos from SMMT’s exhibition space.
