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 always uses an
electric propulsion system to drive the
vehicle. 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 is
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 64.
Fuel gauge 3 63.

Electric mode

In electric mode the vehicle does not
use fuel and does not produce
emissions. In this primary mode, the
vehicle is powered by electrical
energy stored in the high voltage
battery. The vehicle operates in this
mode until the battery has reached a
low charge level.
There are some conditions when the
battery charge level is high enough to
provide electric mode operation, but
the engine still runs. These 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.
Driving and operating

Extended range mode

When the vehicle reaches the end of
its electric range, it switches to
extended range mode. In this
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 if required, such as
driving up a steep incline or
performing high acceleration
manoeuvres. The battery is not
charged nor is the electric vehicle
range restored by the engine.
In electric mode as well as in
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.
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