The company has invested £100m in the site, which will now produce a number of small electric vans and passenger car variants for Stellantis’ various brands.

The plant was first opened in 1962 and produced Vauxhall Astra models from 1981 until 2022. The Cheshire plant will now produce the Vauxhall/Opel Combo Electric, Peugeot e-Partner and Citroën ë-Berlingo sister models. 

The Fiat E-Doblò will also be produced at the plant, due to increased demand for electric vehicles (EVs) across Europe.

From 2024, the facility will also expand its production portfolio to include a range of electric passenger vehicles, including the Vauxhall Combo Life Electric, Peugeot e-Rifter and Citroën ë-Berlingo MPVs.

“Today’s announcement, in which Ellesmere Port becomes the UK’s first EV-only manufacturing plant and the first Stellantis plant globally dedicated to EVs, is a very visible demonstration that this government has got the right plan for the UK’s automotive sector...