Vauxhall announces major EV line-up expansion

Vauxhall’s range of electric cars is set to rapidly expand over the next few years as the brand heads towards fully electric status 2028. At least three new zero-emissions models are on the horizon, including a reborn Manta, which will go on sale by 2025.

This is unlikely to be a two-door coupe like the original Manta from the 1970s. Instead, we expect that it’ll be a coupe-SUV along the lines of what Vauxhall’s sister brand Opel previewed in July 2021 (below). If true, the forthcoming Manta-e would serve as a rival to the Skoda Enyaq Coupe iV, Nissan Ariya and Subaru Solterra, among other family SUVs.

Opel did create a zero-emissions ‘restomod’ conversion of an original two-door Manta GSe coupe in 2021. While that was a one-off exercise, positive reactions to the banana-yellow concept may well have led to the modern interpretation of the Manta being greenlit for production.

Before the Manta-e arrives, Vauxhall has confirmed that both the hatchback and estate versions of the latest Astra will be offered with fully electric power in 2023, under the names Astra-e and Astra-e Sports Tourer. They’ll rival the Volkswagen ID.3 and MG 5 SW respectively.

We expect both to feature the same zero-emissions powertrain as their Peugeot e-308 counterparts. That includes a 154bhp electric motor and 54kWh battery, which should be large enough for a range of approximately 250 miles on a full charge.

Meanwhile the successors to the current Insignia saloon and Crossland compact SUV will also be electric. Launch dates for these remain under wraps; they could be called Insignia-e and Crossland-e, or alternatively Vauxhall may opt for completely new nameplates.

The British carmaker has set itself ambitious targets for its next batch of EVs, targeting driving ranges of between 310 and 497 miles, as well as rapid-charging capability that would allow for 20 miles of range to be added every minute you’re plugged into a fast enough unit. 

Vauxhall’s current EV line-up includes the Corsa-e supermini, Mokka-e crossover, Combo-e Life MPV and Vivaro-e Life nine-seat people carrier. Petrol-electric plug-in hybrid versions of both the latest Astra and recently facelifted Grandland SUV are also on sale now.

Vauxhall’s entire commercial-vehicle range is also offered with electric power, from the compact Combo-e to the much larger Movano-e. A hydrogen-powered version of its mid-size Vivaro-e panel van is also in development, with a UK launch date of 2023.