Is Now A Good Time To Buy A Vauxhall Ampera?

The 2012 Vauxhall Ampera.

A gallon of petrol is set to hit £6.16 across the UK, so perhaps now is a good time to switch over to electric. The Vauxhall Ampera makes quite an exciting proposition, given that it has a a 16kWh lithium-ion battery pack feeding a 150PS electric drive unit. The Ampera delivers between 25-50 miles of battery-powered zero-emission driving on a single charge.

What sets the Ampera apart from other EVs on the market is its range extender, which boosts the car’s range by up to 310 miles. A small 1.4-litre petrol-fuelled engine/generator runs at optimum efficiency, generating enough electricity to power the electric motor (but not the wheels) and operates seamlessly as part of the Ampera’s powertrain.

For as little as £1 the Ampera provides a battery powered emissions free range of 25-50 miles. This range is ample for the average daily UK commute which research shows is less than 30 miles.

So, what you have is an attractive looking car that has a five door hatch, great alloys and decent dynamics along with some of the most fuel efficient tech of pretty much any class. Good, yes?

Ampera prices, which start at £29,995, include a £5000 government Plug-In-Car Grant (PICG) and the car benefits from VED and congestion charge exemption too. Company car drivers also prosper from a 50 per cent reduction in company car tax. The Ampera also comes with Vauxhall’s Lifetime Warranty and an eight-year, 100,000 mile warranty on the battery systems.