Stellantis switches its Ellesmere plant in the UK to EV-only… ‘all in’ on electric vehicles

[Daily Car Reporter Minji Pyo] Stellantis invested a large sum of 100 million pounds (approximately 166.624 billion won) to transform its manufacturing plant located in Ellesmere Port, England, into a production plant exclusively for electric vehicles. As a result, Stellantis became the first in the UK to have a dedicated EV factory.

The UK factory produces the Vauxhall Combo Electric, Opel Combo Electric, Peugeot e-Partner, and Citroen e-Berlingo. The Fiat E-Doblo, built on the same platform, will also be produced.

With this significant investment, Stellantis is busy preparing various facility areas, including building a battery assembly plant, relocating the body shop, upgrading the general assembly area, as well as improving the plant’s energy efficiency by 60%.

Diane Miller, plant director at Ellesmere Port, said: “Starting electric vehicle production at Ellesmere Port signals a bright future for Stellantis, allowing us to continue producing vehicles for many years to come. We think it is an appropriate choice that Vauxhall’s Combo-E, which has a long history in British manufacturing, is the first model to be produced at Ellesmere Port. In addition, the addition of the Fiat E-Doblo model reflects the positive situation that the demand for electric vehicles is currently increasing. Stellantis is committed to working with the government to ensure that the UK automotive industry remains competitive with electric vehicles in the long term.”

Stellantis said it would cut its carbon footprint in half by 2030 and plans to convert the factory, built in 1962, to a solar and wind power system.

Meanwhile, electrification-focused Stellantis has in recent months been calling for Brexit rules to be renegotiated to ensure that vehicles produced in the UK are not exposed to expensive rules of origin tariffs. This regulation will come into effect on January 1, 2024, and requires that at least 45% of electric vehicle parts and 60% of batteries be from the UK or EU to qualify for the tariff-free rate.

pyomj@dailycar.co.kr