Rüsselsheim Mayor Udo Bausch drives the Opel Zafira-e Life

 Opel Germany boss Andreas Marx hands over new battery-electric company car

Rüsselsheim Mayor Udo Bausch and Opel Germany boss Andreas Marx

Yesterday, the mayor of Rüsselsheim, Udo Bausch, officially received his new company car - a battery-electric Opel Zafira-e Life . Opel Germany boss Andreas Marx handed over the “E-Lounge on wheels” to the mayor directly in front of the Adam Opel building. Opel Zafira-e Life is locally emission-free and offers plenty of space for up to eight members of the city council.

"My new company car is a contribution to local climate protection and shows that the city is setting a good example in the necessary traffic turnaround," says Mayor Udo Bausch, pleased about his new, fully electric company car. "But the new Opel Zafira-e Life also shows the innovative strength that emanates from our business and research location. Rüsselsheim is helping to shape the path to electromobility – with the right vehicles and technologies, but also with the expansion of the charging infrastructure,” says Bausch.

"Opel is fully committed to resource-saving, forward-looking mobility - just like the city of Rüsselsheim. By 2028 we will be a fully electric brand. We are pleased that Mayor Bausch can already attend all appointments locally emission-free with his new Zafira-e Life. Because our electric van combines maximum comfort and flexibility with a sense of responsibility,” said Andreas Marx when the keys were handed over at the Opel headquarters.

Electric drive of the Opel Zafira-e Life ensures unrestricted suitability for everyday use and operational readiness. With an output of 100 kW/136 hp and a maximum torque of 260 Newton meters from a standing start, the e-van gets away from the spot quickly. Company car is equipped with a 75 kWh battery, so that it can travel up to 322 kilometers locally without emissions (according to WLTP 1) can cover until the next charging stop. Charging the Zafira-e Life is just as easy as driving it. Its batteries can be charged using a wall box at home, a fast charger on the go, or any power socket. Practically installed in the vehicle floor between the axles, the batteries do not restrict the loading volume and at the same time lower the vehicle's center of gravity due to their position. A state-of-the-art regenerative braking system makes the electric van even more efficient.

Safety and comfort are top priorities in the Opel Zafira-e Life - with Opel-typical comfort seats for the driver and front passenger as well as variable individual seats in the rear. Standard sensor-controlled, electric sliding doors make it easier to get in and out of rows two and three. Numerous state-of-the-art driver assistance systems make short and long business trips more relaxed. Rich portfolio includes a front camera and a distance radar, the semi-adaptive cruise control and limiter as well as lane assistant, drowsiness warning and a 180-degree panoramic reversing camera. Speed, distance to the vehicle in front or navigation can also be displayed on the Opel Zafira-e Life via a colored head-up display. The "Multimedia Navi Pro" infotainment system, which is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, offers a seven-inch touchscreen.

[1] Range determined according to WLTP test procedure methodology (R (EC) No. 715/2007, R (EU) No. 2017/1151). Actual range can vary under everyday conditions and depends on various factors, in particular on personal driving style, route characteristics, outside temperature, use of heating and air conditioning and thermal preconditioning.

Ramp up of New Opel Astra Production in Rüsselsheim

• All-New Astra is the cornerstone of Opel’s ongoing electrification strategy in 2022
• Newcomer makes clear statement with technologies it brings to the compact class

Hesse’s Prime Minister Volker Bouffier and Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz (on the right)

All-new Opel Astra rolls off the assembly line at the Rüsselsheim plant. Today, Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz welcomed Hesse’s Prime Minister Volker Bouffier, Hesse’s Economics Minister Tarek Al-Wazir and Rüsselsheim’s Lord Mayor Udo Bausch to the Rüsselsheim plant to witness the ramp up of production of the new Opel Astra. To date, around 500 new Opel Astra have already been produced. In the coming months, the new generation of the Opel Astra will be the cornerstone of the Rüsselsheim-based brand’s electrification offensive. All-new Astra five-door will arrive at customers in the spring – and will be available as a plug-in hybrid right from the start. In 2023, the purely battery-electric Astra-e will complete the range. 

Hesse’s Economics Minister Tarek Al-Wazir, Prime Minister Volker Bouffier, Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz and Rüsselsheim’s Lord Mayor Udo Bausch (from left)

“All-new Astra has been developed with love and dedication down to the smallest detail. It was also the first car I presented when I took over as Opel CEO and I obviously have a special connection with this compact class bestseller,” said Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz. “Designed, engineered and now produced at our traditional headquarters in Rüsselsheim, this newcomer will provide us with additional momentum. I am already looking forward to seeing all-new Astra at dealerships and in the hands of our customers in spring.”

“Opel is at home here in Hesse. For many generations now, Opel has not only been driven here, the people also continue to produce and develop the brand. The headquarters in Rüsselsheim are an important employer in the entire region. So it is particularly gratifying that the new Astra is rolling off the assembly line here in Rüsselsheim. With this, the company reinforces its commitment to secure the site. Hesse is also doing its part to ensure that the carmaker has good framework conditions for production, development and research. Automotive industry is currently undergoing a structural transformation. State Government of Hesse will continue to support Opel in mastering this challenge. With today's start of production and the conversion to electric mobility planned in 2028, the company demonstrates: It has its sights firmly set on the future,” said Hesse’s Prime Minister Volker Bouffier and Economics Minister Tarek Al-Wazir.

“Increased competitiveness of the Rüsselsheim plant has ensured that this exciting model can be produced here,” said Ralph Wangemann, Managing Director Human Resources and Labour Director. “This investment will allow work in two shifts and the skills, dedication and commitment of the employees will play a major part in the future success of our all-new Astra.”

“Team handled the numerous pandemic-related restrictions excellently. We are extremely proud to be the new home of the Astra – a state-of-the-art compact class bestseller in outstanding quality,” said Plant Manager Michael Lewald.

All-new Opel Astra is a design statement for the brand. Dynamic as never before, with sheer, taut surfaces, detoxed of superfluous elements and with the new brand face – Opel Vizor. The newcomer also makes a clear statement with the technologies and assistance systems it brings to the compact class. Innovations that customers are otherwise only familiar with from vehicles in higher segments. One highlight of the extensive portfolio is the latest version of the adaptive, glare-free IntelliLux LED Pixel light. System comes directly from the Opel flagships Insignia and Grandland, and with 168 LED elements, is a leader in the compact and midsize class.

A leap in time has taken place in the interior of the new generation Astra. With the fully digital Pure Panel, analogue instruments are consigned to history. Instead, the new human-machine-interface (HMI) with fresh, modern graphics offers customers a pure, more intuitive experience. Operation is via an extra-wide touchscreen. In addition, important settings such as climate control can still be selected directly via just a few switches. Never before has an Opel been so intuitive and easy to operate as the new Astra.

Outstanding seating comfort in the new compact class model is also typical of Opel. The front seats, developed in-house, are AGR-certified (Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V.) with exemplary ergonomics, especially on long journeys. Driver is supported by optional state-of-the-art assistance systems ranging from the head-up display to the 360-degree view called Intelli-Vision.

Electric City: Rüsselsheim opens the first charging farm with 152 charging points

Lord Mayor Udo Bausch (left) and Ralph Wangemann, Labor Director of Opel Automobile GmbH, put the first Rüsselsheim charging farm with 152 charging points into operation 

City of Rüsselsheim am Main is making a big leap forward in expanding its charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. On Wednesday (September 8th), Mayor Udo Bausch and Opel HR Director Ralph Wangemann put the first of three public charging farms with 152 charging points into operation. The charging farm was set up on a now public parking lot in front of the Opel factory gate. In the future, citizens and factory employees should be able to use the area on Mainzer Straße to charge their electric vehicles.

“Today is an important day for Rüsselsheim. As a city, we are keeping a first part of the promise we made to the citizens of Rüsselsheim: That Rüsselsheim will become electric, ”explained Mayor Udo Bausch. For this, he thanked the federal government as the sponsor, all partners and service providers of the project, in particular the Rüsselsheim municipal utilities, who took care of the network expansion, and Opel, who made space available. "Formerly private, company-owned employee parking spaces have now become public parking spaces that are also accessible to the general public."

"Together with the project partners, the city of Rüsselsheim has created this infrastructure in our hometown and thus not only ensures that Rüsselsheim remains a" car city ", but that Rüsselsheim will be a" car city "of the future," said Opel - Managing Director and Labor Director Ralph Wangemann. "I would like to express my thanks to everyone who made this project possible."

Charge electricity with up to 22 kilowatts

Rüsselsheim charging farm is charged at normal charging points with alternating current (AC) and a charging capacity of up to 22 kilowatts. The charging time is between two and four hours, depending on the charging capacity of the charging station, the capacity of the battery and the charging technology of the electric car. Type 2 charging sockets are located at all charging points created as part of the Electric City project. This socket meets the requirements of AC charging in Europe and is installed in every modern electric vehicle.

Electricity with and without a contract

Anyone who would like to charge at one of the public Rüsselsheim Electric City charging stations has a wide range of tariff and contract options. Since the charging stations will in future be operated by the Rüsselsheim municipal utility, the municipal utility's green electricity is available for spontaneous charging without a contractual obligation (ad hoc charging). Anyone who is tied to the electricity of the municipal utility for at least three months can save money with the “ÖkoStrom Mobil” tariff compared to spontaneous charging and can also refuel at any charging station outside of Rüsselsheim that is part of the roaming network of ladenetz.de. Roaming partner can also charge any electricity from any third-party electricity provider at an Electric City charging station that is part of the Ladenetz.de cooperation network.

Two more loading farms are about to go into operation

By the end of October, the city will have opened a total of three charging farms with 540 publicly accessible charging points in parking lots in the city area. Up to 250 additional public charging points, spread across the entire city area, will follow successively in the coming weeks and months. With the Electric City project, a total of around 1,200 charging points will be created in Rüsselsheim by spring 2022: around 800 public and almost 400 private ones. Based on 67,000 inhabitants, this means a charging station density of one public charging point for every 84 citizens. “Projects like 'Electric City Rüsselsheim' are lighthouses that create an important basis for the mobility of the future. With the development of a future-proof charging infrastructure, we support our climate protection goals sustainably and clearly. And at the same time we support the Rüsselsheim-based economy in developing and establishing e-mobility, ”emphasized Mayor Bausch.

Activation via RFID card, app and QR code

So that the electricity can then be assigned to the right customer and correctly billed, the city of Rüsselsheim has up to four different ways of authenticating yourself for a charging process. City of Rüsselsheim relies on all current standards, but also on standards that are still in development.

First of all, there is the charging card, which activates the charging point for charging by simply stopping at the RFID field of the charging station. Greatest advantage of RFID cards is that they are easy to use. Municipal utilities will also use it to equip their electricity customers.

Smartphone apps of the various charging tariff and roaming providers offer a lot of additional information, such as the current occupancy of charging stations or the tariff. In Rüsselsheim, this can be done using the popular app from ladenetz.de. An existing internet connection is required for this.

Ad hoc charging, which does not require a contract, is also dependent on the Internet. For this, the customer data and a means of payment must be stored on the website of the electricity provider before loading. Website can be accessed via a QR code attached to the charging station, which is scanned with the smartphone camera.

A fourth, but still future, variant will be the “Plug & Charge”. Billing chips are integrated directly into the charging electronics of the electric vehicles, so that it will be possible to pay without cards, apps or QR codes. This form of authentication is currently still in development and, when it is ready for the market, will be installed as an update on the Electric City charging stations.

Start of Production: New Opel Insignia Drives off Rüsselsheim Production Line

• Kickoff: Official start of regular production in headquarter plant
• Ultra-modern flagship: New Opel Insignia with especially efficient powertrains and innovative assistance systems
• Guest of honour: Opel CEO Lohscheller welcomes Mayor Udo Bausch to the plant

Rüsselsheim’s Mayor Udo Bausch and Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller

Production of Opel’s new flagship has officially started. With Rüsselsheim’s Mayor Udo Bausch and Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller in attendance, the first new Opel Insignia – Sports Tourer GSi in Satin Steel Grey – rolled off the production line at the headquarter plant.

“Today is a good day for Rüsselsheim. We are looking forward to the new Opel Insignia. It will provide us with new momentum thanks to its outstanding technologies and efficient engines. Thanks to the new Opel Insignia and the future models that we will bring to Rüsselsheim, the plant can look forward to a good future as a location for the production of ultra-modern vehicles – both with efficient combustion engines and electrified drive,” said Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller.

As already announced, the Rüsselsheim plant will produce all-new Opel Astra and a model for fellow Groupe PSA brand DS Automobiles in addition to the Opel Insignia as of 2021. Both the next generation Opel Astra and the DS Automobiles model will be based on Groupe PSA’s modern and electrifiable EMP2 platform.

“We are pleased that the top-of-the-range Opel flagship will continue to be produced here. This improves the utilization of the plant and helps to secure highly qualified jobs in Rüsselsheim. Success of the transformation towards electromobility will be decisive for the future. We would like to continue to support the company with all our strength,” said Udo Bausch, Lord Mayor of Rüsselsheim am Main.

Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller welcomes Mayor Udo Bausch to the plant

New Opel Insignia is more modern, dynamic and efficient than ever before and has been available for order in the Grand Sport, Sports Tourer and GSi (169 kW/230 hp, NEDC fuel consumption Grand Sport 1: urban 9.1 l/100 km, extra-urban 5.8 l/100 km, combined 7.0 l/100 km, 161 g/km CO2) since March.

For an entry-level price of €29,965, the Grand Sport limousine in the Business Edition trim already offers features such as comfort seats, air-conditioning and the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto-compatible Multimedia Navi with 7-inch colour touchscreen. Elsewhere, LED headlights ensure optimum vision in the dark. New Insignia is the first Opel model to only offer full LED systems. Assistance systems such as front collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, and lane keep assist further increase the safety of passengers and road users.

Powertrain line-up begins with the 90 kW (122 hp) 1.5 litre turbo diesel (fuel consumption, five-door, NEDC 1: 5.0-4.5 l/100km urban; 4.0-3.3 l/100 km extra-urban; 4.4-3.8 l/100 km, 115-99 g/km CO2 combined). Prices for the Opel Insignia Sports Tourer estate in the Business Edition trim with identical equipment and engine start at €30,940. New, especially efficient engine range not only reduces CO2 emissions. Opel Insignia customers can also further reduce their fuel bill.

[1] Fuel consumption and CO2-emission data given are preliminary and have been determined according to WLTP test procedure methodology, and the relevant values are translated back into NEDC to allow the comparability with other vehicles, according to regulations R (EC) No. 715/2007, R (EU) No. 2017/1153 and R (EU) No. 2017/1151.

Opel’s Hometown to Become “Electric City”: Rüsselsheim to Have Highest Charging Station Concentration in the European Union

• Strong electric-mobility package: Up to 1,300 charging points in 2020
• Environmentally friendly and cost-effective: Extensive use of renewable energy and minimum grid extension
• User-friendly: Transport researchers from the RheinMain University to examine mobility behaviour and thus optimise the location of the charging stations
• Unique partnership: Diverse consortium consisting of the local authority and representatives of business and science

Rüsselsheim Lord Mayor Udo Bausch, Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller, Prof. Dr. Bodo A. Igler, RheinMain University (from left to right)

Opel’s hometown of Rüsselsheim am Main will become “Electric City”. Rüsselsheim, Opel and the RheinMain University are driving the extension of the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. Sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Economics, the installation of around 1,300 charging stations across the city will commence in the upcoming months. These will then be located in all districts and residential areas, on the Opel premises, on the campus of RheinMain University, in residential estates of gewobau Rüsselsheim, on the parking areas of selected supermarkets and shopping centres and on the premises of the municipal clinic (GPR). The ambitious project, for which the partners have received the official grants totalling around €12.8 million, will be realised in multiple steps by 2020.

Going forward, each publicly accessible charging point will service 72 inhabitants, thus creating the highest density of charging stations in relation to the number of inhabitants not only in Germany but in all of the European Union. In addition, another 400 charging points will be installed on privately owned land – 350 of these on the Opel premises. In comparison, Hamburg, currently the leading German city with regards to charging infrastructure, has 785 publically accessible charging points for its 1.8 million inhabitants (city ranking of the Federal Association of Energy and Water Industry).

“The transition to electro-mobility is creating opportunities for Rüsselsheim. The city can take on a leading role for charging infrastructure, for electric vehicles and for electro-mobility in Germany thanks to this unique partnership. The project will strengthen the city as an industrial location and increase our capacity to innovate,” said Lord Mayor Udo Bausch.

Opel’s contribution to the project includes parking areas, which will be fitted with 600 charging points and be accessible to the public after completion of the work. Furthermore, charging points will be installed at 350 parking spots for the Opel company car fleet. “Opel goes electric! This promise is a core pillar of our PACE! strategic plan. And obviously a massive extension of the charging infrastructure at our Rüsselsheim headquarters is important. This is the consistent continuation of our electro offensive,” said Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller.

Thanks to the involvement of RheinMain Univeristy, the city of Rüsselsheim will become an urban laboratory for electro-mobility unparalleled in Germany. In the process, technical topics such as supply stability and network integration, along with socio-economic aspects such as mobility behaviour will be examined. The data on the charging behaviour will enable the scientists to predict future demands placed on the electricity network and help them identify the individual needs of electric car drivers. In addition to up to 20 charging points, RheinMain University will also install energy storage systems. These are designed to improve the use of renewable energies and therefore minimise the necessary network extension.

“The university is making an important contribution to the urban development of Rüsselsheim with its project-specific research. This underlines the approach we chose, which is to further strengthen the strategic role of universities in regional innovation systems,” said Prof. Dr. Detlev Reymann, President of RheinMain University.