GM Europe, the makers of Opel motorcars, has become the first recipient of the new Green Technology Award from the British magazine What Car? The Opel Ampera uses a truly unique power system called E-REV (Extended-Range Electric Vehicle) technology.

The Ampera is a four-seat electric vehicle with a battery range of about 60 miles. Although most European automobile travel falls within the 60 mile range, the Opel Ampera also employs a gasoline-powered, on-board generator to provide power for up to 500 miles of travel. The gasoline engine does not drive the wheels, only an electrical generator to power the electric drive motors. The extended range relieves the fears most consumers have had about the limited range of electric vehicles.

The What Car? Green Awards recognize advancements in European green motorcar technology. The inaugural award was presented at a ceremony in London by Mayor Boris Johnson and What Car? Editor Steve Fowler.

Ampera’s Voltec power system is easily adaptable to future fuel cell technology by simply removing the gasoline generator and installing the new fuel cell as technology progresses. This adaptability makes the Opel Ampera nearly “future-proof”, according to Fowler. Production of the Opel Ampera is scheduled to begin in 2011, with UK models ready for the market in early 2012.

While GM Europe receives awards, GM-US is struggling. After recently emerging from bankruptcy, GM-US still claims to be set to release the new Chevy Volt. The Volt will also use the Voltec power system employed by the Opel Ampera, however, there are distinct differences in the two models.

The Chevy Volt will only have an electric range of about 40 miles with an extended range of 640 miles. The cost is expected to be around $35k-$40k USD, far beyond the affordable range of most American consumers. The production and release dates for the Volt have been fluctuating from 2010 to 2011 or later. GM claims the delay is due to continuing battery pack research and development. Strangely, the Opel Ampera engineers at GM Europe do not seem to have that problem.

It is interesting to note that while GM-US has been suffering bankruptcy, GM Europe has remained strong and many in the US wonder why this is the case. It is clear that before any automobile will be successful in the US, consumers need to like the styling more than the performance. Americans have historically been more interested in appearance than economy.