Vauxhall Ampera Retains Auto Express's Green Award

LUTON, UNITED KINGDOM – July 12, 2013: Vauxhall’s ground-breaking Ampera has won Auto Express magazine’s Green Award for the second year running.

The UK’s best-selling weekly car magazine made the announcement at its prestigious New Car Awards held in London last week.

“Manufacturers are working harder than ever to make their cars more eco-friendly, so it’s testament to Vauxhall’s brilliant Ampera that wins our Green Award for the second year on the trot,” said Steve Fowler, Auto Express Editor-in-Chief. “It’s no longer the only plug-in petrol electric model on sale, but it’s still the best.”

“We are delighted that the Ampera has retained this prestigious award,” said Peter Hope, Vauxhall’s Marketing Director. “The Ampera is truly a pioneering vehicle not just for Vauxhall but for the automotive industry as a whole.”

Arriving in showrooms last year, Ampera has a real-world battery range of between 25-50 miles, after which a small range-extending generator, powered by a 1.4-litre petrol engine, intervenes to provide up to an additional 300-plus mile range. At all times, the Ampera’s wheels are electrically driven, setting it apart from conventional hybrid vehicles.

Ampera pricing starts at £29,995 on-the-road (including a £5,000 government grant) for the Earth model. The car is available through a network of 24 specialist Vauxhall dealers and is covered by the manufacturer’s industry-leading Lifetime Warranty.

Vauxhall is also covering the majority of running costs for Ampera customers with a new ownership package. Available on Positiv and Electron trims, private buyers will be entitled to three years or 60,000 miles free servicing and a £2,000 fuel contribution, enough to cover both electric and petrol costs for three years for an average Ampera driver.

Other benefits include a Type-2 charging cable which will enable customers to charge their Ampera at the vast majority of public charging points and a £335 (VAT inclusive) allowance equivalent to the 25 per cent funding gap on domestic home charging installations announced after this year’s Budget.