Stellantis has announced it is investing £100million in Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port manufacturing plant to transform the site for EV manufacturing.
Ellesmere Port, which has been making the Astra, will become the first Stellantis plant to produce a solely battery-electric model, in both commercial and passenger versions, by the end of next year, for Vauxhall, Opel, Peugeot and Citroën brands and for both domestic and export markets.
From later next year, the plant will build the electric Vauxhall Combo-e, Opel Combo-e, Peugeot e-Partner and Citroën e-Berlingo vans as well as Vauxhall Combo-e Life, Opel Combo-e Life, Peugeot e-Rifter and Citroën e-Berlingo passenger vehicles.
These light commercial vehicles, and their passenger car variants, are all powered by a 100kW (136hp) motor with a 50kWh lithium-ion battery.
They are able to be charged at up to 100kW, take 30 minutes to charge from 0% to 80%, and are capable of up to 174 miles of range.
Also, the Ellesmere Port factory will be transformed, with a new body shop, upgraded general assembly, a compression of the site area and a new on-site battery pack assembly area.
The plant aims to be 100% self-sufficient for electricity and work will commence imminently on potential wind and solar farms at the facility.
Stellantis has also announced the intention to consult on further investment into the Ellesmere Port site with the creation of a new UK parts distribution centre.
Carlos Tavares, chief executive officer at Stellantis, said, “Performance is always the trigger for sustainability and this £100million investment demonstrates our commitment to the UK and to Ellesmere Port.
“I particularly want to thank our highly skilled, dedicated workforce for their patience and contribution; we never let them down.
“Equally, I want to thank our partners the Unite Union for their open mind set and strong cooperation and, of course, the UK Government for their continued support.
“Producing battery electric vehicles here will support clean, safe and affordable mobility for the citizens.”
