Ampera

The Ampera is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle developed by Opel (Vauxhall in the United Kingdom) in collaboration with General Motors. It is the European version of the Chevrolet Volt and uses GM’s Voltec extended-range electric propulsion system. The concept was shown in the late 2000s and the production model was introduced in Europe in 2012, with sales continuing into the mid-2010s.

The Ampera combines a lithium‑ion battery with an onboard electric motor to drive the wheels. A 1.4-liter gasoline internal combustion engine acts as a generator to recharge the battery and extend the vehicle’s range when the battery’s charge is depleted. This design allows all-electric driving for a limited distance, after which the gasoline generator provides a continued range. In European testing, the electric-only range was typically around 60 to 80 kilometers, with a total range exceeding 500 kilometers when the generator is used. The car can be recharged from a domestic or public charging point.

In terms of design and features, the Ampera uses a five-seat hatchback body style with a focus on efficiency and a familiar GM interior layout shared with the Volt. It includes regenerative braking and a drive system designed to minimize emissions during everyday use, particularly in urban driving.

Market presence and legacy: the Ampera was marketed in several European markets but achieved limited sales compared with some rivals, partly due to price, charging infrastructure, and competition from other plug-in hybrids and EVs. GM later discontinued the Ampera name in favor of Opel’s Ampera-e, a separate model based on the Chevrolet Bolt EV. The Ampera remains part of the broader Volt family, reflecting GM’s early European plug-in hybrid strategy.