General Motors and Europcar are at the forefront of their particular industries and regions. The American automaker has not only developed the popular Chevy Volt but its European colleague, the Opel Ampera. Europcar heads the class in the European rental car market with six million customers a year. These customers should soon have access to the Opel Ampera based on a recent agreement between the two companies. GM and Opel have committed to supplying Europcar with Ampera range-extended EVs by the end of this year. Europcar hopes to continue replacing internal-combustion vehicles with hybrids and EVs while GM wants the Opel Ampera exposed to potential buyers.
Europcar plans release of the Opel Ampera to rental centers in Germany by November 2011. The second phase of the Ampera rollout includes Belgium and the Netherlands by December 2011. GM plans delivery of the Ampera to Europcar outlets in Great Britain, France, Italy, Portugal and Spain by spring 2012. Renters will be asked to arrive to their Europcar locations at least 15 minutes early for Ampera orientation. This brief overview covers everything from how to charge the battery to increasing fuel efficiency through proper driving techniques. Europcar has developed virtual surveys and forums for Ampera users interested in sharing their experiences.
The Opel Ampera is an ideal vehicle for travelers commuting to far-flung business districts and tourist attractions. The Ampera is powered by a 16kWh li-ion battery, 111kW electric drive system and a gas engine. This range-extended drive train achieves an estimated fuel economy of 147 miles per gallon without sacrificing performance. Early testing by Opel and GM indicate that the Ampera falls well under European Union emissions standards. Europcar has not released daily rental rates for the Ampera but eco-conscious travelers are hard pressed to find a more valuable rental car.
The partnership between Europcar and GM seems natural based on their respective plaudits. Europcar was chosen as the World’s Leading Green Transport Solution Company in 2010 for the second year in a row. The World Travel Awards selected Europcar based on their commitment to reducing fuel consumption and emissions while meeting the needs of global customers. GM was thrilled by the onslaught of awards and publicity for the Chevy Volt last year including 2010 North American Car of the Year. The Opel Ampera should gain similar exposure through GM’s partnership with Europcar while helping the rental giant further decrease its environmental impact.
