Opel announces details of its Meriva EV

The Meriva EV has an electric motor which produces 80bhp and 215Nm of torque, and the unit sources its power from a 16kWh battery. This allows the car to hit a top speed of 130km/h and achieve a range of 64km.

The Meriva EV also features a unique bi-directional charging system, with two modes. The first mode is for recharging the car, via a 230V household outlet or 400V rapid charger, while the second mode sends power back to the house or electrical grid. This effectively means that the Meriva EV can also serve as a battery which can provide power in the case of electricity shortages.

According to Opel's Vice President of Engineering, Rita Forst, "The electric Meriva may look like the production car, but is a pure research-vehicle. We are testing charging at high currents in less than one hour, as well as the communication protocols between the vehicle and charging station."