OPEL will launch an Astra-based version of parent company General Motors’ Volt electric car.

In the United States, the car is known as the Chevrolet Volt and has been exhibited at a number of motor shows.

GM says the plug-in Volt will make history when it goes on sale in 2010 as the world’s first electric vehicle with a long range.

The car will be capable of travelling 80km (50 miles) on electric power alone but will have an extended range of 650km (400 miles) thanks to a 1.4 litre engine.

This will run at an optimum constant speed and will only charge the batteries when they are near to empty, thus allowing the cars to keep running to around the 650km (400 mile) mark between recharging and filling up.

GM estimates that the Volt could save the average motorist 2,250 litres (500 gals) of fuel a year and emit 4.4 tons less CO2.

The Astra Volt will have similar performance as a current petrol or diesel car, with a 0-100km/hr time of nine seconds and a top speed of 160km/hr (100mph).

Naturally, it will be considerably ‘greener’.

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