Vauxhall

A British brand since 1903

A British brand since 1903🇺🇰 Luton, United KingdomLegacy OEM

Founded

1903

Luton

Making EVs since

2020

Entered EU

1903

EVs on EVRadar

Service network

Established

The story

Vauxhall Motors is one of Britain's oldest vehicle manufacturers, founded in 1857 as a pump and marine engine company in Vauxhall, London. It started car production in 1903 and was acquired by General Motors in 1925. For decades it shared platforms with Opel. In 2017, Groupe PSA bought Vauxhall/Opel, and in 2021 it became part of Stellantis. Today, Vauxhall offers a range of electric vehicles including the Corsa Electric, Mokka Electric, Astra Electric, and Combo Electric, catering mainly to the UK market with affordable, practical family cars.

Official site →

Worth knowing

Vauxhall's iconic Griffin logo was adopted in 1857 from the coat of arms of Falkes de Breauté, a 13th-century mercenary soldier who owned the land where the company was founded.

During World War II, Vauxhall produced the Churchill tank at its Luton plant.

The Vauxhall Astra was the UK's best-selling car in 1980s and 1990s.

Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port plant became the first Stellantis factory dedicated solely to electric vehicles in 2022, building the Combo-e, Vivaro-e, and their Opel/Peugeot/Citroën siblings.

The road here

EV milestones

1857: Founded as a pump and marine engine manufacturer in Vauxhall, London.

1903: First Vauxhall car produced.

1925: Acquired by General Motors.

2017: Purchased by Groupe PSA.

2021: Became part of Stellantis.

2022: Electric Astra unveiled.

2023: Electric Combo Life enters production.

Brand DNA

BritishStellantisAffordable EVFamily carsGriffin logoPractical

The honest read

Strengths

+Extensive UK dealer and service network.
+Competitive pricing for entry-level EVs.
+Practical and spacious vehicles well-suited to families.
+Shared Stellantis platform ensures parts availability.

Watch-outs

–Some electric models (e.g., Combo-e) based on commercial vehicle platforms with basic interiors.
–Infotainment and driver-assistance tech not as advanced as some Asian rivals.
–Real-world range of 54 kWh models can be limited in cold weather.
–Residual values can be lower than premium European rivals.

Battery & platform DNA

Vauxhall's electric models use Stellantis's common modular battery packs, primarily 50 kWh and 54 kWh units supplied by CATL. The lithium-ion NMC packs support DC fast charging at up to 100 kW, with usable capacities slightly below nominal. All EVs feature battery thermal management (liquid cooling) and pre-conditioning. A heat pump is standard on Astra Electric and available on other models to improve cold-weather efficiency.

EVRadar verdict

Vauxhall provides an easy, low-risk entry into electric motoring for UK buyers, with an established badge and wide dealer support. Its EVs are roomy, well-priced, and benefit from Stellantis's scale. While not leaders in range or innovation, they are solid, dependable choices for families and commuters who prioritise practicality over cutting-edge tech.

Company