Voltec is the name for Vauxhall’s revolutionary extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV) technology that uses electricity as its primary power source and petrol or E85-bio-ethanol, as its secondary power source, to generate electricity. The main components of the Voltec electric propulsion system include a T-shaped battery pack, a 111-kW electric drive unit, and an engine generator for electricity.
What is an extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV)?
An E-REV is a road vehicle that primarily uses electric drive provided by a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) – e.g. a battery pack – but with an auxiliary onboard electrical energy generation unit and fuel supply used to extend the range of the vehicle once the RESS electrical charge has been depleted. The Vauxhall Ampera is an example of an extended-range electric vehicle.
How it works - basic principles
The battery pack powers the electric drive unit, which powers the car for up to 50 miles - at normal speed and acceleration – all without using a drop of petrol.
For trips longer than 50 miles, when the battery reaches its minimum level of charge, an on-board range extender, in the form of a petrol-powered engine, creates additional electricity to power the car for hundreds of additional miles. With this kind of engine, there’s no need to worry about the car’s batteries running down.
