The Ampera / Volt electric range extender has earned the award for "Green Engine"
For the first time, a range extender engine has won the "International Engine of the Year Award." The concept of revolutionary propulsion wins the "Best Green Engine Award" in a fierce competition. Unique, the range extender allows you to go where you want when you want.
The revolutionary Ampera and Volt electric cars come once more to see to distinguish the international automotive press: their extension of the 1.4 has won the "International Engine of the Year Award" for the best environmental friendly engine , in a very sharp competition among 45 other contenders "green". The Ampera and Volt are the first electric vehicles the market has to go where you want when you want. It is also the first time in the 14 year history of the award that a range extender engine out winner. The award ceremony took place in the city of Stuttgart.
"Until the appearance of the Volt and Ampera, low autonomy of electric cars had limited their daily use stated Uwe Winter, Vehicle Line Director and Chief Engineer who received the award from the British organizers, the magazine Engine Technology International. "Our revolutionary propulsion system removes this obstacle by combining the environmental compatibility of electric traction and good autonomy combustion engine. "Best Green Engine Award" is the best recognition of this achievement. "
The jury is made up of sixty-six automotive journalists from 35 countries around the world, award prizes in twelve different categories rewarding quality of engine technology. This year, the general opinion was one of the most difficult of all: 39 new engines were presented to the jury.
One of the jury members, Bill McKinnon, explained why the system of Ampera range extender / Volt had won the support: "Combining the efficiency of the pure electric with the versatility and convenience of gasoline means it is a leading solution. "
The last argument was provided by the context of rising global fuel prices, which makes small friendly powertrains and electric environment play a role increasingly important in the international automotive industry.
A lithium-ion 16 kWh battery pack powers the electric motor of 111 kW/150 hp of the Ampera / Volt. Depending on driving style and the type of route, it is possible to cover between 40 and 80 kilometers in pure battery mode, totally emission. The wheels of the car are always electrically entrained. Autonomy prolonged mode, which puts on the battery has reached its minimum state of charge, the power of the unit of electric traction rocker imperceptible way the energy supplied by a generator driven by a gasoline engine 1.4 liter 63 kW/86 hp. The prolonged autonomous mode offers a range of over 500 kilometers.
The Ampera and Volt have won two of them has numerous international awards, including the "World Green Car of the Year" and of course the title of "Car of the Year 2012." They have also been recognized for their safety, receiving for example the maximum score of five stars awarded by Euro NCAP. The last year, the propulsion system of the Volt was recognized one of North America's top ten engines by Ward automobile magazine.
Source: Chevrolet and Opel France
