Opel/Vauxhall Meriva EV in the works
By Andrew, 23 Sep, 2010. 0 Comments
2011 Opel Meriva
Vauxhall/Opel will be joining MeRegio (Minimum Emission Region), a project that is meant to integrate electric vehicles into modern networks and infrastructures. During a charging cycle last week, two plug-in Merivas were spied. This fueled internet rumors that Vauxhall/Opel is working on a fully electric version of its mini-MPV. However, a Vauxhall spokesman asserted that this does not mean that the company is planning to produce a hybrid or electric powertrain for the Meriva.
Instead, these cars are related to Opel’s role in the new partnership, which includes seven other partners including Bosch, Daimler (through the Smart brand) and data management firm SAP. The project aims to integrate the next generation of electric vehicles into the network, intelligently managing load and charging phases, feeding back energy into the grid when necessary (and crediting the car user with this), and facilitating cross-border roaming standards.
The MeRegio also seeks to set up 600 private, commercial and public charging points in Baden-Württemberg. A number of manufacturers, including BMW with its Mini E, have pointed to power network integration as an area of potential problems. Establishing it is expected to provide significant benefits to electric vehicle users. The partners are working with the anticipation that the battery capacity of thousands of EVs would help to offset the costs of cells. [via autocar]
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