Tech4MEN_01_no ads_opt15.pdf

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CAR
Opel/Vauxhall Ampera
Are we changing our Prius?
�The Vauxhall Ampera is an electric driven car that seeks
to overcome the drawbacks of electricity driven cars. The main
problems that electric cars suffer from are their low range and
inability to store much power to propel the car through long distances.
Plus the complete reliance over power stored in a battery
also hinders the performance of an electric car. But the Vauxhall
Ampera uses improved equipment and technology to overcome
such shortcomings.
There is only a limited amount of electric power which can be
stored in batteries. For cars which rely entirely on battery power
alone, the range and performance is just not good enough. So to
overcome this, some cars go hybrid. They use the internal combustion
engine as the primary source of power whereas also using
an electric motor. The electric motor is however only second-
Price: $54,000
ary and using only it will once again bring the performance of the
car down.
The Vauxhall Ampera on the other hand uses a powerful and efficient
electric motor as the primary source of power unlike hybrid
cars. It also has an engine generator though which converts
the fuel energy into electric power for extending the distance
that the car can travel. Vauxhall Ampera thus manages to overcome
the main problems that are associated with electric and
conventional hybrid car.
The Vauxhall Ampera is thus an E-REV car, which means it is an
extended range electric vehicle. It is equipped with a powerful
battery pack that can allow for optimum speed and performance
for distances ranging from 25 to 50 miles. This and the generator
TECH 4 MEN � October 2012