Ellesmere Port has become not only the UK’s first EV-only plant but also the first Stellantis manufacturing facility dedicated to electric vehicles, following a £100 million investment.
The plant will produce the Vauxhall Combo Electric, Opel Combo Electric, Peugeot e-Partner, Citroën ë-Berlingo and due to increased demand for electric vehicles across Europe – the Fiat E-Doblò compact van.
From 2024, Ellesmere Port will also produce a range of electric passenger vehicles including the Vauxhall Combo Life Electric, Peugeot e-Rifter and Citroën ë-Berlingo MPVs.
Diane Miller, plant director, Ellesmere Port, said: “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.”
As part of its transformation for EV production, the Ellesmere Port plant has undergone several key changes, including the addition of a battery assembly shop, upgraded general assembly and relocation of the bodyshop. This has contributed to a 60% reduction of the total site area for improved energy efficiency and productivity.
A new test track has also been built and a new parts distribution warehouse is in its final stages of construction, ahead of becoming fully operational in early 2024.
Ellesmere Port was built in 1962 and produced its first car, the Vauxhall Viva, in 1964. Since then, it has produced models from the Vauxhall range including the Chevette and successive generations of the Vauxhall and Opel Astra. Since 1985, more than 4.1 million units have rolled off the production lines at Ellesmere Port.