Electric Vehicle Operation Modes; Electric Mode; Extended Range Mode - Vauxhall Ampera Owner's Manual

Electric vehicle
operation modes
Operation
This vehicle is an extended range
electric vehicle. It uses an electric
propulsion system to drive the vehicle
at all times. Electricity is the vehicle's
primary source of energy, while petrol
is the secondary source.
The vehicle has two modes of
operation: Electric and extended
range. In both modes, the vehicle is
propelled by its electric drive unit. It
converts electrical energy into
mechanical energy to drive the
wheels. The vehicle's performance
remains the same in either mode.
Depending on the selected operation
mode, a battery or a fuel gauge is
shown mainly in the instrument
cluster.
Battery gauge 3 63.
Fuel gauge 3 63.

Electric mode

In electric mode the vehicle does not
use fuel or produce emissions. During
this primary mode, the vehicle is
powered by electrical energy stored
in the high voltage battery. The
vehicle can operate in this mode until
the battery has reached a low charge.
There are some conditions when the
battery charge is high enough to
provide electric mode operation, but
the engine still runs. They are:
■ Cold ambient temperatures.
■ Hot or cold high voltage battery
temperatures.
■ The bonnet being open or not
completely closed and latched.
■ Certain high voltage battery fault
conditions.
■ Engine maintenance mode or fuel
maintenance mode being run.

Extended range mode

When the vehicle reaches the end of
its electric range, it switches to
extended range mode. In this
Driving and operating
secondary mode, electricity is
produced by the fuel‐powered
engine. This secondary source of
electric power extends the vehicle
range. Operation will continue in
extended range mode until the
vehicle can be plugged in to recharge
the high voltage battery and restore
electric mode.
The high voltage battery will continue
to provide some power and work
together with the engine to provide
peak performance when it is required,
such as driving up a steep incline or
for high acceleration manoeuvres.
The battery will not be charged nor
will electric vehicle range be restored
by the engine.
In either electric mode or extended
range mode, if there is a high voltage
battery fault, the engine may run
without turning off to generate the
required electricity. The malfunction
indicator light will turn on.
Malfunction indicator light 3 67.
107