Petrol and diesel versions of Vauxhall, Citroen and Peugeot branded small family lifestyle vehicles are no longer being built, it has been announced.
Going forward, a total of six vehicles will be “exclusively electric” in response to changing customer preferences. The price of certain models is also being reduced to ensure they are eligible for the UK government’s Plug-in Car Grant (PiCG), which was reduced before the new year from £2,500 to £1,500.
Citroen says the decision “is the result of the brand’s responsible approach to the future of mobility”, and its “desire to accelerate its energy transition strategy” – views echoed by its two sister brands.
Underpinning Peugeot’s e-Rifter and e-Traveller, Vauxhall’s Combo-e Life and Vivaro-e Life, and Citroen’s e-Berlingo and e-SpaceTourer is the same 50kWh lithium-ion battery that powers a 100kW electric motor.
On a full charge, owners of the five- and seven-seat models can expect to cover 174-miles and 143-miles respectively, with an 80% charge possible in half-an-hour using a 100kW fast charging station. A home wallbox – which is rated at 7.4kW – sees the time for a full charge rise to seven-and-a-half-hours.
Explaining the reasons behind dropped internal combustion engines, Paul Willcox – Vauxhall’s Managing Director – said: “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.”
Peugeot’s Managing Director Julie David added: “Peugeot is committed to electrification, with a goal of offering a fully electric variant across our entire model line-up by 2024.
“Already, we offer a fully electric van across our entire Leisure Commercial Vehicle (LCV) 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.”
Meanwhile, Citroen has added a new entry-level ‘Sense’ trim to the new e-C4 Electric line-up for 2022. Priced from £28,495 after the PiCG, it joins ‘Shine Edition’ and ‘Shine Plus’ to create a three-car line-up.
LED headlights, 18-inch ‘Crosslight’ alloy wheels, power folding door mirrors, rear parking sensors and keyless entry and start all come as standard. Also included in the price is Active Safety Brake, Speed Limit Information, Lane Keeping Assist and Forward Collision Warning safety systems.
Inside, there is a 10-inch touchscreen featuring Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a DAB radio as well as dual zone climate control.
