Opel-Vauxhall, a leading automotive manufacturer, has decided to reassess its plan to transition to an all-electric lineup by 2028. The company, under the leadership of CEO Florian Huettl, has acknowledged that the European electric vehicle market has evolved differently than anticipated when the initial timeline was set.
Initially, Opel-Vauxhall had announced in 2022 its intention to introduce its final internal combustion engine (ICE) car in 2024 and had remained committed to this goal up until 2023. However, Huettl revealed in an interview with Autocar at the Brussels motor show that the company will now maintain a flexible powertrain offering for the foreseeable future.
Huettl emphasized that while the company remains fully committed to electrification, it is important to acknowledge the current market realities. He pointed out that the new Frontera crossover is available with both petrol and electric power options for less than £24,000, and the Grandland SUV offers an impressive range of up to 435 miles. These offerings are seen as significant steps towards increasing the popularity of electric vehicles.
Although Huettl did not provide a new timeline for Opel-Vauxhall’s ICE phase-out, he affirmed that the company has a clear strategy to eventually transition to a fully electric lineup. He highlighted the multi-energy strategy environment in which Opel-Vauxhall operates, allowing customers the choice between different powertrain options.
Furthermore, Huettl noted that Opel-Vauxhall’s parent company, Stellantis, was already compliant with the UK’s zero-emission vehicle mandate even prior to the introduction of the Frontera and Grandland models. In 2024, Vauxhall sold nearly 80,000 cars in the UK, with approximately 15,900 being battery-powered, representing an EV mix of nearly 20%.
Despite the progress in EV adoption, Huettl underscored that electric vehicle uptake across Europe as a whole remains at just 14%, with growth heavily reliant on government support policies. He pointed to the example of Germany, once a leading EV market in Europe, which faltered in 2024 compared to the UK’s accelerated growth in electric vehicle sales.
In light of these market dynamics, Opel-Vauxhall is carefully evaluating its next steps to ensure a successful transition towards a fully electric future. The company remains dedicated to providing customers with a range of powertrain options while advancing its electrification strategy.
