Stellantis announces sweeping removal of combustion-engine models across Europe as it says “there is no alternative to electrification.”
Stellantis has removed all combustion versions of its small van-based MPVs from sale in most of Europe in an effort to speed up the group’s move to all-electric power.
The decision to continue with only electric versions of these vehicles was announced through separate statements by Citroen, Peugeot and Opel/Vauxhall – which sell the technically idential Berlingo, Partner and Combo MPVs respectively.
The move sets Stellantis’ $190m investment to produce the electric versions of these MPVs (as well as the van variants) at the old Vauxhall Astra factory in the UK.
The group’s mid-sized MPVs – the Citroen SpaceTourer, Peugeot Rifter and Vauxhall Vivaro Life – will also go all-electric in the designated markets. Stellantis is clearly marking its imminent move into a fully electric future.
Stellantis says some customers outside the EU (and those in Switzerland and the Balkans) will still be able to buy combustion-powered models, and Fiat, which sells its own variants of the small and mid-sized MPVs, has not issued a statement on the matter.
“There is no alternative to electrification. In the future, Opel will gain even more traction with environmentally friendly innovations,” said Uwe Hochgeschurtz, CEO of Vauxhall’s sister brand Opel.
“From 2024, we will offer an electrified version of every Opel model, without exception,” he said. “In other words, the successors to Crossland and Insignia will also be electrified. Our statement is clear: From 2028, we will exclusively sell battery-electric vehicles in Europe.”
Stellantis Australia will continue with its current selection of combustion engine models, but electrification will clearly be knocking on the door soon.
Jack Warrick