Alex- If you've not already got it, I've got an article from ATZ explaining the Volt in some good detail:

‘During highway driving, efficiency can be improved 10 to 15% over the series power-flow arrangement. Under this operation, mechanical power from the engine is partially converted by the generator to supply electric power to the traction motor. This configuration still enables full speed and load selection for efficiency, and the motors operate to control the electric power conversion and application of power to the planetary. Both electric motors must operate and only when the traction motor reacts torque on the planetary is torque transmitted to the wheels.’ ATZ – Volume 11 (April 2011)

In layman’s terms- electric motors used to lock out planetary gearset(with power from ICE) to enable to ICE to be linked to the wheels. Lots of articles seem to be confused over this fact, ATZ is about the best I’ve seen (expectedly so). Makes total sense too, if there’s one thing an ICE is good at it’s what efficiency at states requiring a large amount of power, comparatively a point where e-machines aren’t that efficient.

I hadn't seen it, but I was on the Ampera UK press launch last week and had a chat to the UK product manager over dinner who explained the same thing.

Makes sense as, from what I've read so far, high speed efficiency of electric motors isn't great. The Volt uses both electric motors and the ICE for assistance at high speeds, as I understand it, which is the most efficient way to run. Press bumpf isn't very clear about how direct that assistance is, but from the above and what I was told last week, I'd say very!

Road test here, if you're interested: http://bit.ly/HUv3CC

I'll scan it in if you want? Has some good data in there.

Are Opel offering the same warranty as Chevrolet regarding the battery ($3000 to change?).

Be good to see a few more on the roads, always get some strange looks when we drive the one at work.

I'll scan it in if you want? Has some good data in there.

Are Opel offering the same warranty as Chevrolet regarding the battery ($3000 to change?).

Be good to see a few more on the roads, always get some strange looks when we drive the one at work.

The Ampera comes with a 100,000-mile, unlimited duration, non-transferrable warranty. But if it's not eligible for warranty work then yes they're offering a service where you can have the battery exchanged for a reconditioned one.