Norway Kicks Off Sales Of New Opel Ampera-e

Selected due to its existing EV infrastructure, Norway is the first European country to get the all-new Ampera-e.

The first deliveries are scheduled for next spring, with a limited volume available at first. In 2017, other European markets are in line for getting the brand's zero-emissions car, including Germany, Netherlands, France and Switzerland, and they will be eventually joined, towards the end of the year and in 2018, by other countries, as production increases.

"The availability of the Ampera-e will be limited due to a slow ramp-up of production at the Orion plant in Michigan. Therefore, we made a decision to go with a staggered introduction plan going first with the countries that already have some form of EV infrastructure in place or countries that have shown ambition to become EV leaders. This has created the pecking order Norway, Germany, Netherlands, France and Switzerland", said Opel Group's VP of Sales & Aftersales, Christian Kuspert.

Based on the same underpinnings as the North American Chevrolet Bolt, the electric vehicle is said to provide more than 500 km (311 miles) of zero-emissions driving range, as certified by the NEDC.

The combined WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light-duty Vehicles Test Procedure) is estimated at more than 380 km (236 miles), but Opel says that in everyday use, its range will vary, depending on personal driving behavior and external factors. After its batteries are depleted, the Ampera-e needs just 30 minutes, at a public 50 kW DC fast-charging station, for a range of 150 km (93 miles).