Opel is a brand that has always been known for its innovation, quality, and reliability. But in recent years, Opel has also become a leader in electric mobility, offering a wide range of electrified models that cater to different customer needs and preferences. In this article, we will explore how Opel has achieved this feat, and what are the benefits of choosing an electrified Opel model.
Opel’s Electrification Strategy: From Vision to Reality
Opel’s electrification strategy is based on a clear vision: making electric mobility easy and exciting. This vision is driven by the brand’s commitment to sustainability, customer satisfaction, and future-proofing. Opel aims to offer a fully electric product portfolio in Europe by 2028 and to have at least one battery-electric variant of every model in its product range by 2024.
To realize this vision, Opel has invested heavily in research and development and expanding its production capacities and capabilities. Opel has also leveraged the synergies and resources of its parent company, Stellantis, which is one of the world’s leading automotive groups. Opel has benefited from the shared platforms, technologies, and expertise of Stellantis while maintaining its distinctive identity and values.
As a result of this strategy, Opel has been able to launch 15 electrified models by the end of 2023, covering almost every segment and vehicle type. These models include:
- Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), which run solely on electricity and have zero tailpipe emissions. Opel’s BEV portfolio includes the Rocks Electric quadricycle, the Combo-e Life and the Zafira-e Life MPVs, the Opel Corsa Electric and the Mokka Electric subcompact cars, the Astra Electric and the Astra Sports Tourer Electric compact cars, and the Grandland Electric compact SUV. Opel also offers battery-electric versions of its entire commercial vehicle range, comprising the Rocks Electric Kargo, the Combo-e, the Vivaro-e, and the Movano-e.
- Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), which combine a combustion engine and an electric motor, and can be recharged from an external power source. Opel’s PHEV portfolio includes the dynamic top models of its sub-brand GSe, which stands for “Grand Sport electric”. The Astra GSe, the Astra Sports Tourer GSe, and the Grandland GSe offer a sporty driving experience with up to 300 hp of system power and 520 Nm of torque, while also reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
- Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), which use hydrogen as a fuel and emit only water vapor. Opel is a pioneer in this field, having developed the Vivaro-e HYDROGEN, which is already on the road, and planning to launch a large fuel cell transporter in 2024. FCEVs offer long driving ranges and fast refueling times, making them ideal for long-distance and heavy-duty applications.
- 48V hybrid electric vehicles (48V HEVs), which use a 48-volt electrical system to support the combustion engine with an electric motor, improving efficiency and performance. Opel will introduce this technology soon, starting with the recently announced new Corsa, which will offer two 48V HEV variants with 100 hp and 136 hp, respectively.
Opel’s Electrified Models: A Closer Look
Opel’s electrified models are not only environmentally friendly but also fun to drive, easy to use, and packed with features. Let’s take a closer look at some of the highlights of Opel’s electrified portfolio.
Opel Rocks Electric: The Urban Mobility Solution
The Opel Rocks Electric is a quadricycle that offers a unique solution for urban mobility. It is small, agile, and easy to park, making it ideal for navigating crowded city streets. It is also affordable, costing less than 10,000 USD, and has low maintenance and running costs. It can be driven with a car or motorcycle license, depending on the country.
The Opel Rocks Electric has a range of up to 75 km and a top speed of 45 km/h. It can be recharged in about three hours from a standard household socket. It has two seats and a trunk capacity of 63 liters, which can be expanded to 212 liters by folding the passenger seat. It also has a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, as well as a rear-view camera and parking sensors.
The Opel Rocks Electric is available in two versions: the Rocks Electric and the Opel Rocks Electric Kargo. The latter is designed for commercial use and has a cargo box instead of a passenger seat, offering a loading volume of 500 liters and a payload of 140 kg.
Opel Astra Electric and Astra Sports Tourer Electric: The Compact Stars
The Opel Astra Electric and the Astra Sports Tourer Electric are the battery-electric versions of Opel’s compact star, the new Astra. They combine the Astra's elegant design, spacious interior, and advanced technology with electric mobility's benefits. They are among the first all-electric compact cars on the market, and the Astra Sports Tourer Electric is one of the first all-electric estates.
The Opel Astra Electric and the Astra Sports Tourer Electric have a range of up to 340 km and a top speed of 150 km/h. They can be recharged in about 30 minutes from a fast charger or in about 7.5 hours from a wallbox. They have a power output of 100 kW/136 hp and a torque of 260 Nm, delivering a smooth and responsive driving performance.
The Opel Astra Electric and the Astra Sports Tourer Electric are equipped with a 10-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Opel Connect services. They also offer a range of driver assistance and safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, and emergency braking. They also have a head-up display, a wireless charging pad, and a panoramic roof.
The Opel Astra Electric and the Astra Sports Tourer Electric are available in two trim levels: the Edition and the Elegance. The latter adds leather seats, LED headlights, and 17-inch alloy wheels, among other features.
Opel Grandland GSe: The Plug-in Hybrid Powerhouse
The Opel Grandland GSe is the plug-in hybrid version of Opel’s compact SUV, the new Grandland. It is the top model of the GSe sub-brand, offering a sporty and dynamic driving experience with high efficiency and versatility. It is the most powerful model in Opel’s electrified portfolio, with a system power output of up to 300 hp and a torque of up to 520 Nm.
The Opel Grandland GSe has a range of up to 59 km in electric mode and a top speed of 225 km/h. It can be recharged in about two hours from a wallbox or four hours from a standard household socket. It has a 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol engine and two electric motors, one on each axle, providing an all-wheel drive capability. It also has an 8-speed automatic transmission and four driving modes: Electric, Hybrid, Sport, and 4x4.
The Opel Grandland GSe has a sporty chassis with KONI FSD (frequency selective damping) technology, which adapts to road conditions and driving styles, ensuring optimal comfort and handling. It also has a sporty design, with a black roof, a black grille, and 19-inch alloy wheels. It also has a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Opel Connect services.
The Opel Grandland GSe is available in two trim levels: the GSe and the GSe Ultimate. The latter adds leather seats, a Bose sound system, a 360-degree camera, and a wireless charging pad, among other features.
Opel Vivaro-e HYDROGEN: The Hydrogen Fuel Cell Pioneer
The Opel Vivaro-e HYDROGEN is a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle based on Opel’s medium-sized van, the Vivaro-e. It is a pioneer in this field, offering a long driving range, a fast refueling time, and a zero-emission performance. It is ideal for long-distance and heavy-duty applications, such as delivery services, shuttle services, or tradespeople.
The Opel Vivaro-e HYDROGEN has a range of up to 400 km and a top speed of 140 km/h. It can be refueled in about three minutes from a hydrogen station, which is comparable to a conventional diesel van. It has a fuel cell stack that converts hydrogen into electricity, which powers an electric motor with 100 kW/136 hp and 260 Nm of torque. It also has a small battery that provides additional power when needed.
The Opel Vivaro-e HYDROGEN has a cargo volume of up to 6.1 cubic meters and a payload of up to 1,100 kg, which is similar to the diesel version of the Vivaro. It also has a towing capacity of up to 1,000 kg. It also has a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Opel Connect services, as well as a range of driver assistance and safety features, such as lane departure warning, blind spot alert, and rear cross-traffic alert.
The Opel Vivaro-e HYDROGEN is already on the road, as Opel has delivered the first units to selected customers in Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Opel plans to expand the availability of the Vivaro-e HYDROGEN to other European markets in 2024, as well as to launch a large fuel cell transporter based on the Movano-e.
The Opel Vivaro-e HYDROGEN is part of Opel’s commitment to developing alternative and sustainable mobility solutions, in collaboration with its partners and stakeholders. Opel is a member of the Hydrogen Council, a global initiative of leading energy, transport, and industry companies that aims to accelerate the transition to hydrogen as a key enabler of the energy transition.
