The real world of EV operation may double Vauxhall Ampera emissions
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Opel Ampera
The big problem with hybrid vehicles with plug-in capability is that the real world mileage and emissions are highly dependent both on duty cycle and the ability to actually plug in. The Vauxhall Ampera (aka the European Chevy Volt) is expected to be rated at approximately 40 g/km of CO2 emissions. That's based on the fact that with a full charge it can complete 40 miles of the 60 mile EU test cycle on electric power alone. Those who are able to actually plug in their vehicles every day will very likely be able to achieve something close to this. But therein lies the rub. Not everyone can plug in a vehicle.
In European cities in particular, many people don't have a garage that they can put the car into and plug it in. Curbside charging is also extremely limited. As a result, many drivers will find that their mileage is significantly lower than those who plug in all the time. This problem is, of course, not unique to Europe nor the Volt/Ampera, but the layout of population centers in the UK and elsewhere may exacerbate it compared to the U.S. GM evidently has no plans to adjust the battery usage cycle to accommodate less frequent charging since that would negatively impact the battery lifespan.
Gallery: Geneva 2009: Opel Ampera reveal
Gallery: Opel Ampera
[Source: AutoCar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tim 9:34AM (3/26/2009)
Sam,
Since we’re talking about the Vauxhall,
How many cars are currently operating in Europe?
How many cars are added to that fleet each year?
How many total cars will be in Europe in 10 years?
How many E-REV-40s will GM make for Europe over the next 10 years?
Now, what % of Europe’s fleet will be E-REV-40s at the end of the next 10 years?
Thinking that everybody needs to have a place to plug in their E-REV right now is ludicrous as is the premise of this article. NO infrastructure is ever complete or perfect.
Somebody will always need to run a new power line at their garage, barn, flat etc., but at least the electric infrastructure exists and electricity is relatively cheap, plentiful and can efficiently (if not cheaply, yet) be produced locally. This is NOT the case with H2.
Where there is a will, there is a way as long as the market is truly free and Statists don’t sterilize innovation with endless taxes & regulation. (Outlaw dark cars because it takes more energy to cool the cabins? Statist MORONS never heard of windows and we want the to plan our lives for us?)
Oh, one more thing… no one vehicle type is appropriate for everything or everyone... EVER! ICEs will be with us well into the future as the primary motive power or range-extender. What they will burn remains a subject of great debate.
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~D. 9:39AM (3/26/2009)
This may be a bit off the topic of this article, but I've been musing on the Ampera:
GM is looking at potentially having a tough time funding & making their money back off of the Volt, or at the very least getting enough return to keep funding future developments of the program, hence their idea to have a Cadillac product off the Voltec platform (which is a good idea.) However, they could extend the amount of juice that they squeeze from the fruit of their investment by selling the Ampera here....as a Pontiac. GM said they wanted to keep Pontiac as a niche brand (essentially populated with Euro/Pacific products like the Holden Monaro & SSV,) a strictly sporting-oriented marque, which means they can charge a slight premium over their Chevy-branded counterparts. This also means that you can't invest TOO much into the Pontiac products, or your returns will be slim, hence the rebadging of sporting products that GM had invested money in elsewhere. You could have a Pontiac Ampera- with that red & black interior, masculine piano black console trim and aggressive fascias- as the "bad boy" version of the Volt, further increasing the range of buyers you attract to the product with minimal investment. You could have a sportier digital gauge cluster readout (more Reventon-like) and have it come in bright red, this will help allude to a more fun, sporty nature when held against the sea foam green Volts. The dealers can charge extra for wheel & spoiler packages, and while the markup wouldn't be as big as the one Cadillac will get for their version, it also won't require any large investments like a rebody.
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Scatter 9:44AM (3/26/2009)
See now I think there's going to be a big market for some sort of power supply which runs from your home, under a pavement to the curb with a retractable power chord. The switch could be inside your home so that others can't pinch your electricity.
But you would still need to be able to park within a reasonably close distance (not always possible in many European cities).
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jm99 11:05AM (3/26/2009)
Fortunately or unfortunately (for GM, and those who advocate plugins), I think this issue will have a way of sorting itself out until such time as curbside charging is more plentiful. Those that won't be able to plug it in probably will mostly skip purchasing it anyway, since the price simply won't justify the purchase unless you can reliably charge it regularly. So, honestly, I think the emissions concern is a bit overblown.
Besides, even with minimal electric drive usage, it's designed to be so efficient that it will still probably have better emissions than most cars in its class.
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Mark 11:20AM (3/26/2009)
I think we're looking for a problem that doesn't exist. Very, VERY few people who don't have access to charging facilities at home or at work are likely to buy a plug in hybrid.
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Nick 8:45PM (3/26/2009)
The article seems to be speaking about average's. GM says (not sure where they are quoting from) that 70% of people drive 40 miles a day. I fall into that category. I also have a place to charge at home and work. I will not use the range extender very often and I suppose most people won't.
Point is on average those vehicles will probably be driven 60 miles or so for every charge they get.
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FitFan 3:04PM (3/26/2009)
Do we really need to point out that you shouldn't buy a plug-in vehicle if you don't have an electric outlet available? Surely the general public isn't this stupid. Well, ... nevermind.
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Ernie 3:14PM (3/26/2009)
So what? If enough people ask, you'll find electrical outlets attached to a lot of parking meters in short order. The great thing about plug-in hybrids is that they'll go a long way to making plug-ins widely available.
It's not like it's prohibitively expensive or difficult to put extra electrical plugs where they're needed. We have them a lot in residential parking lots here in Canada, for people to plug block heaters into overnight.
And if you *really* want to and/or need it, you can bring an extension cord in your trunk. You might even find outlets where you least expect them.
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Jeff 8:18PM (3/26/2009)
Most of the G-Wizes in my old neighbourhood in London would just park on the street in front of the home with an extension cord running from the house out across the sidewalk to the car. Didn't seem to be a problem at all. Its pretty much all reserved parking in the residential neighbourhoods too, so most people probably stick to their usual spot.
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John 9:47PM (3/26/2009)
the cuture of today with all our gadgets that we need to plug in, laptops, iphones and what not have trained at least the younger generation to search out power outlets everywhere, i dont see how this will be different from the owner of an electric, cyclists seek out proper bike racks, and i am sure drivers have eagle eyes for the only parking spot on the street. its no difference, yes it will take some training and remembering but we plug in everything now days this is the logical next step
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Scatter 4:17AM (3/27/2009)
Mark, FitFan
What about in 25 years time when all new cars are electric/phevs? are those people going to be condemned to tool around in conventional vehicles? Nah. It's a problem that needs to be solved.
In my view, trailing an extension cord across the pavement isn't a suitable solution. It's fine for a handful of G-Wiz but not when everyone's plugged in.
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