Opel Grandland PHEV: Successful long-distance journey without refueling!

Opel Grandland PHEV: Successful long-distance journey without refueling!

The road traffic landscape in Germany is changing, and it is becoming increasingly clear that electric cars are an important part of the future. The new Opel Grandland, which is available as a plug-in hybrid and fully electric model, shows exactly which direction we are going. While the Grandland as a plug-in hybrid is available from 40,150 euros, the fully electric version starts at 46,750 euros. What's new is that Opel is using the STLA medium platform from Stellantis for the Grandland, which not only gives it more space but also a more appealing look. The current generation is a whopping 17.5 centimeters longer and 6.4 centimeters wider than its predecessor.

The Opel Grandland plug-in hybrid had to prove itself in an interesting test on Germany's longest motorway, the A7. The route from Füssen to Flensburg, which stretches over an impressive 962.2 kilometers, put the vehicle's range to a tough test. The trip started with a fully charged battery and a full tank. The planned driving time was 9 hours and 32 minutes, with the test drivers maintaining speeds between 110 and 130 km/h. During the test drive, the Grandland demonstrated a standard range of 900 km and an electric range of 87 km, which presented some challenges when driving over hilly terrain.

A successful test report

The test results were consistently positive. Despite the challenging terrain and the partly unserviced parking spaces, the Grandland was able to achieve an average consumption of just 4.7 liters per 1034 km during the test drive. A notable detail: After the electric range was used up shortly before Ulm, recuperation helped to regain some range. At the end of the 11-hour journey, the team was in Denmark with a remaining range of 30 km.

This test drive illustrates the strengths of the Grandland plug-in hybrid, which not only offers high performance in electric operation, but also has a buffer battery of 17.9 kWh. Compared to other vehicles, demand for plug-in hybrids is growing, although registrations have fallen by more than half in 2023. Nevertheless, the sales figures show that hybrid vehicles grew by an average of 13.3%, while electric cars themselves are doing well. At the beginning of 2024, there were almost 1.4 million electric cars in Germany, which accounts for almost 3% of the total car population.

Looking into the future

To support the trend, ambitious goals have been set: There should be 15 million electric cars in Germany by 2030, and the EU resolution of 2023 states that no new gasoline and diesel cars will be registered from 2035. The challenge remains as many consumers have concerns about the high purchase costs and range of electric cars. But the operating costs for electric cars are cheaper overall - provided the electricity is purchased from suitable charging points.

Another important aspect is the infrastructure. With over 123,400 charging points in Germany by January 2024 and an average charging capacity of around 35 kilowatts, refueling on the go is becoming increasingly easier. The responsibility for emission-free driving lies not only with the manufacturers, but also with the energy providers, who are increasingly getting their electricity from renewable sources. In 2023, 54% of the electricity produced in Germany came from renewable energies.

Overall, it shows that the Opel Grandland and other electric vehicles are well positioned in a market that is changing rapidly. The increasing number of electric cars and the adaptable models offered by manufacturers such as Opel give hope for a greener future.