Opel plans to introduce electric car

02 March 2010

Car manufacturer Opel plans to introduce an electric car for inner-city use to capitalise in what it deems to be a high-potential market,

Car manufacturer Opel plans to introduce an electric car for inner-city use to capitalise in what it deems to be a high-potential market, said the companys chief in an interview on Sunday.

We are thinking about a small electric vehicle, General Motors Unit Chief Nick Reilly told German newspaper Bild am Sonntag.

We believe there is strong potential for growth in cities across the world, he added. Reilly predicted that various governments are going to provide fiscal support for this kind of vehicle.

Smaller when compared to the Corsa, the new model will be launched three years from now and will be available in both conventional and electric versions, said a spokesperson for the company.

Struck by declining sales, the company this month revealed an extensive restructuring plan together with a call for countries that sell Opel its and UK sister business Vauxhall to stump up 2.7 billion euros worth of state aid.

In 2014, the company intends to make investments totaling 11 billion euros in new models and environment-friendly technology, including electric powertrains.

Opel will start to deliver its first electric car, the Ampera, in 2011. Amperas wheels are powered purely by an electric engine - there is also a small fuel engine that recharges the batteries.

The European Commission was urged this month by European Union industry ministers to come up with a common strategy to create electric cars, which are viewed as an opportunity for growth and an environmental necessity.

The present EU president stated that the electric car should be featured in the EUs 2020 strategy, which is an economic reform programme designed to ensure sustainable development and prosperity in Europe.

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