A new spark has been injected into the famous Vauxhall plant at Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, in good news for the UK motoring industry.
The facility that previously built the Vauxhall Astra will now produce electric compact vans for multiple Stellantis brands.
The Vauxhall Combo Electric compact van and its sister models, the Citroen e-Berlingo, Fiat E-Doblo, Opel Combo Electric and Peugeot e-Partner, will all be produced at the factory, following a £100 million investment that has transformed the site. Ellesmere Port is the UK’s only major EV-only manufacturing plant and the first Stellantis plant globally dedicated to electric vehicles.
Alongside the eLCVs, from 2024, the plant will produce passenger versions of the electric vehicles, including the Citroen e-Berlingo, Peugeot e-Rifter and Vauxhall Combo Life Electric.
The Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Kemi Badenoch, 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."
Ellesmere Port plant director Diane Miller added: "The start of electric vehicle production at Ellesmere Port signals a bright future for the plant, ensuring it will continue to manufacture vehicles for many years to come. With Vauxhall’s long history of UK manufacturing, it’s especially fitting that the first electric model to roll off Ellesmere Port’s production line is a Combo Electric. Whilst the welcome addition of the Fiat E-Doblò to the plant is a positive reflection of increasing electric vehicle demand. Stellantis is committed to working with the Government to ensure the UK automotive industry remains competitive for producing electric vehicles for the long-term.”
Ellesmere Port Revamp
Significant changes have been implemented at the Ellesmere Port plant during the transition to EV production; a battery assembly shop has been established, the bodyshop has been relocated, and several enhancements to the General Assembly area have been made.
As a result of the changes, the site's total area has been reduced by 60%, and energy efficiency and productivity have been optimised. The entire plant is now just 118,000m2 — similar to the bodyshop alone in its previous iteration.
The revamp has seen a new test track constructed, and a new parts distribution warehouse is in the final stages of completion and expected to be fully operational by early 2024.
There have been sustainability improvements, too, including a more energy-efficient '4-wet' paint application process, and a localised CHP (combined heat and power) plant is being installed to generate electricity on-site, reducing emissions even further.
Stellantis is working towards the plant running on solar and wind power and connecting to the HyNet North West Hydrogen Pipeline.
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