The vehicle will go on service with PSNI in Belfast city centre as an incident response vehicle.

Thanks to its E-REV technology – which combines both an electric motor and a petrol engine – the Ampera ensures that there are no problems with the range anxiety associated with fully electric vehicles. In addition the charging point infrastructure is well developed in Northern Ireland: currently EV owners are no further than 10 miles from a charger.

The vehicle was handed over at eDRIVE, an electric vehicle event sponsored by the Northern Ireland Government, Department of Regional Development, held at the Titanic Museum, in Belfast. 

‘We're looking forward to putting the revolutionary Ampera through its paces responding to incidents while also reducing our emissions and providing significant savings on fuel costs,’ said Marcus Belshaw, head of transport for PSNI.

Dick Ellam, manager, Vauxhall Special Vehicle, added: ‘Vauxhall is delighted that the Ampera is being trialled by PSNI, and we are confident that they will be impressed by the Ampera’s durability, performance and economy.’