The new Vauxhall Ampera although looks normal in its mechanical make up, but it is a plug in hybrid with a battery that powers the electric motor can be charged from the mains. Earlier, Toyota tentatively released a plug-in version of the Prius, but this new vehicle is more advanced in the terms of electricalness. The vehicle runs with 151bhp electric motor and not using the engine.

However it has a 1.4-litre petrol engine, but it is not linked to the driving wheels and is used in driving a generator.

As per the automotive engineering terms, the Ampera is a hybrid as it uses both petrol and electricity. On the contrary it is a general perception that hybrid vehicle is one that it runs primarily on its engine with assistance from an electric motor sometimes.

This makes it important for Vauxhall to differentiate Ampera from the general hybrids and for this, term "extended-range electric vehicle or E-REV has been coined.

So it can be said that it is an electrical car which liberates the drivers from the fright of running out of battery power, without recharging it.

The heavy lithium-ion battery which is T-shaped, and rests in central tunnel under the back seat can run 40 miles at open-road speeds.

It is restricted to 100mph and can attain 60mph in nine seconds. Also, after the engine starts to contribute at the end of 40 miles, the vehicle has additional 310 miles of petrol-fuelled driving capacity.