EVs to Be Available for Rental in Europe by 2012

Electric powered vehicles will be available for rental in Europe by 2012 thanks to a partnership between Vauxhall and Europcar. The car chosen for the new program is the Ampera, a hybrid vehicle that can travel 40 km (25 miles) to 80 km (50 miles) on electric power alone and up to 500km (300 miles) with petrol.

The Ampera, sold in the US under the name ‘Chevrolet Volt’, will first be deployed in Europcar rental outlets in Germany as early as the end of 2011. This is to be followed by the Netherlands ,Belgium , France , Italy , Portugal , Spain and the United Kingdom by the beginning of 2012.