Vauxhall launches electric car and hybrid for 'identical price' as brand praises 'significant milestone'

The average list price difference across the new car market between an electric and petrol car is currently 31 per cent, although the Frontera will have a zero per cent difference.

Both the electric and petrol hybrid versions will start from £23,495 OTR when drivers can start ordering in Autumn.

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The electric vehicle is available either with a battery range (WLTP) of 186 miles or 248 miles, while the hybrid has either a 100hp or 136hp 1.2 turbo engine and 48V hybrid technology.

Vauxhall's Frontera Electric can be charged from 20 to 80 per cent in just 26 minutes, has a top speed of 87mph and can travel from 0-62mph in 12.1 seconds.

James Taylor, managing director of Vauxhall, said Vauxhall was "leading the way in democratising access" to electric vehicles through several of its schemes.

This includes the Electric Streets campaign to boost on-street charging infrastructure, PCP offers with equivalent monthly payments between electric and petrol models, or new special editions.

He added: "With the launch of the New Frontera, Vauxhall has eliminated the list price premium that often applies to electric vehicles, with both electric and petrol hybrid versions offered for an identical list price.

"At just £23,495, New Frontera Electric is a significant milestone in our mission to make electric mobility accessible for everyone across the UK."

This comes as Vauxhall calls for a rapid expansion of on-street electric vehicle chargers to ensure motorists have the confidence to invest in electric even if they do not have dedicated driveway parking.

Motorists have called for more than 11,500 streets across the country to have councils install ons-treet chargers following Vauxhall's Electric Streets of Britain campaign.

Vauxhall said it would work with its three charging partners - char.gy, ConnectedKerb and SureCharge - and share data with councils to develop the charging network with a more targeted approach.

The major car brand said it would also communicate with people who got involved in the scheme to update them on the plans in their local area.

An FOI request earlier this year found that 56.5 per cent of the 267 local authorities who responded still did not have a published on-street residential charging strategy.

The local authorities have installed over 15,000 on-street chargers so far, with plans to install a further 8,000 over the next year.

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Taylor added: "On-street residential charging is critical to the adoption and acceleration of electric vehicles.

"Thanks to the public, we already know of over 11,000 roads where we need to install on-street chargers today to make it more convenient for EV drivers and remove a barrier for those wanting to switch to electric."