Citroen, Peugeot and Vauxhall have today confirmed that their MPV models will be sold exclusively with electric powertrains with immediate effect as the mainstream brands kill off fossil fuel engines for their biggest family cars.
Examples of multi-purpose vehicles – which are primarily aimed at customers who need to transport more five or more people at a time in comfort – are no longer sold with petrol or diesel engines, with customers left with no choice but to make the switch to battery power.
Across the six MPV models now only available with battery power, the full charge driving ranges offered are between a claimed 143 and 174 miles.
The brands – all of them part of the Stellantis Group – have adjusted pricing to make these electric vehicles more affordable, with the least expensive costing a fraction under £30,000, inclusive of the Government’s £1,500 EV grant.
Stellantis puts the boot to combustion engines for its MPVs: Citroen (£30,295 e-SpaceTourer pictured), Peugeot and Vauxhall will no longer sell its biggest family cars with petrol or diesel engines, the brands confirmed on Monday
The decision will accelerate Stellantis’ electrification plan, with the three brands targeting having an electric version of every model in their showrooms by 2024 and to transition to an entirely electric line-up by 2028.
The move will impact markets across Europe, with only business customers in Switzerland and the Balkans still able to buy these vehicles with a petrol or diesel engine under the bonnet.
Customers using the Motability Scheme designed for disabled users should still be able to order converted versions – which can be modified for wheelchair access – with combustion engines.
With the elimination of more affordable combustion powered models, the least expensive example will be the Citroen e-Berlingo, starting from £29,495 inclusive of the £1,500 plug-in cart grant.
The French maker’s larger e-SpaceTourer is priced from £30,295 – though a C4 SpaceTourer will remain on the market with an internal combustion engine, Citroen says.
Vauxhall has also slashed pricing for its two MPV cars by as much as £3,000, reducing the price of the Combo-e Life to start from £29,610 and the larger Vivaro-e Life priced from £30,295.
Separate statements issued by each brand confirmed their mechanically similar MPV models – all of which are based on vans – will go all-electric in Britain and most of Europe, including Peugeot’s Rifter and Traveller.
Official maximum single-charge driving ranges for each are between 143 and 147 miles – though in the real world these distances are likely shorter.
The £29,495 Citroen e-Berlingo (pictured) features a 50kWh lithium-ion battery pack offering an official range of up to 174 miles. The larger e-SpaceTourer has a range of 143 miles. The French brand says this is enough for ‘most daily trips to be completely worry-free’
With a 174 mile WLTP range from its 50kWh battery, the Combo-e Life is ‘a spacious and highly practical family lifestyle vehicle’, says Vauxhall. Prices start from £29,610 for the five-seater and £30,110 for a seven-seat version
Vauxhall’s larger Vivaro-e Life has a range of 143 miles, like its mechanically similar sister model, the Citroen e-SpaceTourer. It costs from £30,295 with the plug-in car grant of £1,500
Peugeot’s e-Rifter (left) can be specified as either a five or seven-seat model. Powered by a 50kWh battery, it can cover up to 172 miles on a single charge. The larger e-Traveller (right) – available with up to eight seats – can achieve up to 148 miles between charges
Citroen described the shift away from combustion engines as a ‘bold move’ that will bring ‘benefits to customers and the environment’.
‘This decision is the result of the brand’s responsible approach to the future of mobility, the desire to accelerate its energy transition strategy and the wish to provide customers with solutions in line with future trends.’
Paul Willcox, managing director at Vauxhall UK, added: ‘Vauxhall has set out a clear ambition to go electric only by 2028 and this is another step on that journey.
‘We are focused on ensuring that the benefits of going electric are available, and affordable, to as many British motorists as possible.’
Julie David from Peugeot said the decision shows the marque’s ‘commitment to electrification’.
‘Already we offer a fully electric van across our entire LCV [Light Commercial Vehicle} portfolio, so with our award-winning MPV range now exclusively available as electric vehicles, we’re catering for the growing demand for zero-tailpipe emissions vehicles.’
UK’s largest independent fuel retailer to open 60 rapid EV charging hubs this year
Motor Fuel Group will establish 60 new charging hubs at filling stations across the UK similar to this flagship EV hub in Putney, London
Motor Fuel Group (MFG), the UK’s largest independent petrol forecourt group, will install hundreds of ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging devices across 60 charging hubs in 2022, it announced today.
As part of a commitment to invest £400 million in EV infrastructure by 2030, MFG will spend over £50 million this year fitting 350 150kW EV chargers that can add 100 miles of range in as little as 10 minutes.
Each of the 60 hubs – which are located at existing filling stations – will consist of between four and eight devices per site.
A further 20 forecourts will also be ‘energised’ in the first quarter of this year, completing the construction work that was done in 2021.
MFG will spend over £50 million this year fitting 350 150kW EV chargers that can add 100 miles of range in as little as 10 minutes. Pictured, its charging hub in Manchester
It comes after the company last year opened its flagship EV hub in Putney, London, and the North-West of England’s ‘first dedicated ultra-rapid EV-only site’ in Manchester.
MFG has more than 900 sites across the UK, partnering with BP, Esso, Jet, Murco, Shell and Texaco.
Chief Executive Officer, William Bannister, said: ‘We have already invested significantly and ahead of the curve on EV charging across our portfolio.
‘We have an ambitious roll-out programme for 2022, which is focused on our network throughout the UK.
‘Our EV sites are modern in design and provide a high-quality retail and consumer experience for the community and for motorists to use whilst charging their vehicles.’
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