Opel is ramping up the rapid electrification of its entire range in 2022 and will offer no less than eleven electrified models by mid-2022, including Opel's entire light commercial vehicle range.
En route to an emissions-free fleet, Opel has further announced that the Combo Life, Vivaro Combi and the Zafira Life will now only be available to customers as emissions-free, 100 per cent electric models, dropping ICE engines from the mix, and effective from January 2022 orders.
The German brand says that the announcement is a clear illustration of Opel's firm intent to exclusively sell battery-electric vehicles only in Europe from 2028.
Opel says that the Combo-e Life and the Opel Zafira-e Life are already very successful in the market. Both MPVs are powered by a 100 kW/136 hp electric motor. With its 50 kWh lithium-ion battery, the Combo-e-Life achieves a range of up to 280 kilometres in accordance with the WLTP, depending on the driving profile, outside temperature and use. When necessary, it takes around 30 minutes for the battery to reach 80 per cent charge level at a public DC fast charging station.
With the large Zafira-e Life, Opel says that the customer can choose between a 50 kWh lithium-ion battery (230 kilometres range according to WLTP ) and a battery with 75 kWh for a first-class range of up to 330 kilometres according to WLTP. The Zafira-e Life is available in three vehicle lengths with space for up to nine people.
With the plug-in electric hybrid Grandland due imminently, Opel says that the new generation of the Astra will be the linchpin of the brand's electrification campaign. After celebrating its premiere in September 2021, the new Astra will arrive in late spring and will be available as a plug-in hybrid right from the start. In 2023, the purely battery-electric Astra-e will complete the range.
In addition to plug-in hybrid and battery-electric models, Opel can also already offer a plug-in fuel cell electric vehicle. The Vivaro-e Hydrogen is based on the existing battery electric Opel Vivaro-e, the International Van of the Year 2021. The newcomer has a fuel cell drive combined with a plug-in battery and with full tanks of hydrogen to give a driving range of more than 400 kilometres (WLTP ).
The first Opel Vivaro-e Hydrogen off the production line is set to begin its emissions-free work in the fleet of German premium domestic appliances manufacturer, Miele.
