08:42, 7 SEP 2023
It's an historic day for Ellesmere Port as the town's Vauxhall plant starts production of electric vans for the first time - making it the sole electric vehicle-only manufacturing site in the UK.
The North Road factory, now named after the parent firm Stellantis, will produce the Vauxhall Combo Electric, Opel Combo Electric, Peugeot e-Partner, Citroën ë-Berlingo and - being announced today (September 7) due to increased demand for electric vehicles across Europe - the Fiat E-Doblò, compact vans.
Ellesmere Port is the first Stellantis plant globally dedicated to electric vehicles following £100m investment to transform the plant in readiness for EV production. From 2024, Ellesmere Port will also produce a range of electric passenger vehicles across the Stellantis brands, including the Vauxhall Combo Life Electric, Peugeot e-Rifter and Citroën ë-Berlingo MPVs.
Kemi Badenoch, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, said: “Today’s announcement in which Ellesmere Port becomes the UK’s first electric vehicle-only manufacturing plant and the first Stellantis plant globally dedicated to electric vehicles, is a very visible demonstration that this Government has got the right plan for the UK’s automotive sector.
"Alongside recent investments from other major vehicle manufacturers, we are ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of automotive innovation as well as securing jobs in this critical industry and its wider supply chain."
https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/ch ... t-27668232
