Vauxhall has opened order books for its Ampera which will go on sale at 23 specialist showrooms in its network in May.

There will be a Luton-based customer liaison appointed to each Ampera customer as part of the “MyAmpera” servicing package which comes with each car.

Prices for the new model start at £29,995 (inclusive of the £5,000 government plug-in car grant). The entry level Ampera comes with DAB radio, 7-inch touch-screen monitor, cruise control and alloy wheels as standard.

Adding a standard leather interior, with heated front seats and front/rear parking sensors with a rear-view camera, the Positiv model sits in the middle of the Ampera range at £32,250 (inclusive of the £5,000 government plug-in car grant). Topping the line-up will be the Electron, which comes as standard with an infotainment unit which includes colour touch screen, satellite navigation system, Bose Energy Efficient Series sound system, DVD video player, 30GB hard-disc drive storage and voice controlled navigation, telephone and music systems.

The Electron costs £33,995 (inclusive of the £5,000 government plug-in car grant).

Vauxhall is offering the Ampera with a lifetime or 100,000 miles warranty and an eight year/100,000 miles battery warranty when they buy.

Each Ampera specialist dealer will have a dedicated staff member in the sales and aftersales department. Ampera retailers will also offer a free collection and delivery service for all scheduled service, warranty and repair work.

Duncan Aldred, Vauxhall’s chairman and managing director, said: "We’re breaking completely fresh ground with the Ampera.

"The technology is obviously unique in a production car, but it’s the level of personalised customer support we’re offering that will be just as important to owners. MyAmpera reinforces this personalisation and will help us engage with our new owners throughout their time with the car."