Vauxhall has given the prototype Ampera its first initial charge of electricity ahead of the car's long journey from Rüsselsheim, Germany, to the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland. The 370-mile trip is to showcase the Ampera as a practical family car.

Vauxhall states that the Ampera does not suffer the same limitations that conventional electric cars do, due to the internal combustion engine having the ability to charge the battery when charge runs low.

Vauxhall Director of Electric Vehicle Implementation, Gherardo Corsini takes the wheel for the trip and states: "I am really looking forward to putting a lot of miles on our first Ampera prototype during this maiden test on public roads."

Production of the Vauxhall Ampera is slated for 2011.

Lee Pickering - 25 Feb 2010