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- Seit einigen Wochen ist er bestellbar, der batterie-elektrische Corsa-e inklusive der maßgeschneiderten Ladeoptionen wie der Opel-Wallbox. Welche Rolle die Ladezeit für E-Autos spielt, erklärt der Marketing-Manager Frank Leibold.
Mr. Leibold, electric cars are largely judged by their range and charging speed. Is the Corsa-e a vehicle suitable for everyday use in these categories?
Frank Leibold: Without question: yes. The Corsa-e has a range of 330 kilometers according to WLTP. Thus, recharging will not be an issue for normal day-to-day use. Only during long-distance trips like the annual vacation trip, I do have to recharge my batteries in between.
But drivers don’t want to be limited in any way …
That’s right. We have to offer solutions. Flexibility and variability are important for loading at home or in the city when shopping, in order to be able to connect the vehicle as anywhere as possible.
Tailored charging options: The Opel Wallbox enables charging at home.
“With a range of 330 kilometers, recharging will not be an issue for normal day-to-day use.”
Plug instead of nozzle: Charging electric cars at home is just one of many options.
From a cable solution for regular household sockets to a wallbox or high-speed charging – Opel’s fleet is ready for all versions of charging.
In charge: Electrical engineer Frank Leibold was part of the development of the charging options from day one.
“In terms of charging options, we equipped the Corsa-e to make it as suitable as possible for day-to-day use.”
The Corsa-e offers different driving modes. Isn’t this restrictive?
I think the opposite is the case. It offers more possibilities. If you prefer dynamic driving, you can use the sport mode, which ultimately affects the range. And for those stuck in rush hour traffic it makes sense to use eco mode, which increases the range without any noticeable loss of comfort. Recuperation plays an important role here: The Corsa-e recuperates power when the engine brake or the brakes engage.
Which way of charging will come out on top?
I don’t think it is possible to make broad statements like that. In real life applications, there will be room for different models, such as quick-charging stations along highways and AC charging stations in supermarket parking lots, for which the quality of the onboard charger will be decisive in terms of charging speed. And people who “fuel up” at home will have a new experience that didn’t exist with combustion engine cars.
Most drivers will not wait until their battery capacity is almost exhausted. They will conveniently recharge wherever they park the car. So the individual customer and his or her habits will be decisive in determining the best charging option. What matters is that the car supports these options. Just like the Corsa-e.
What about people who regularly travel abroad?
Flexibility is extremely important for them. They need to be able to plug into a wide variety of household sockets in an emergency. Our “Universal Charger” is the perfect solution for this. I consider it to be the Swiss Army knife of chargers. The various adapters ensure connectability to the power infrastructure in many different countries.
In terms of charging options, we equipped the Corsa-e with everything needed for maximum day-to-day usability.
In the second part of the interview with Frank Leibold, read about how the “fueling behavior” has changed overall and what this has to do with dishwashers.
Elegant: the Opel Wallbox looks stunning.
In the second part of the interview, find out what electric cars
and dishwashers have in common.
July 2019