German carmaker Opel, a brand of Stellantis, has postponed its target of selling only battery-electric vehicles in Europe from 2028, citing slower-than-expected demand for EVs across the region.
The company will continue offering combustion engines under Stellantis’ “multi-energy” strategy, according to a report by elektroauto-news.net.
“We are currently reviewing our plans and adapting them to the new conditions,” an Opel spokesperson told elektroauto-news.net. “Everyone in the industry knows that electrification is not progressing at the same pace in all markets.” The spokesperson added that while demand for electric models is growing, it is not yet fast enough to meet the previously announced 2028 deadline.
Opel’s decision reflects uneven EV adoption across Europe. Demand remains weak in Spain and Italy, while markets such as France and the UK, where Opel operates as Vauxhall, show stronger momentum. In Germany, Opel noted that recent government measures are helping accelerate uptake. Still, the company said flexibility remains essential. “This does not have to be limited to 2028 if demand dictates otherwise, but we are firmly committed to decarbonising our company and our product portfolio,” the spokesperson told elektroauto-news.net.
All Opel models are currently built on Stellantis’ multi-energy platforms, offering both combustion and electric variants. The brand has not yet launched a model on a dedicated EV-only platform, limiting some of the benefits of full-electric design.
Opel’s lineup includes the Grandland Electric and the Frontera Electric, the latter priced under €30,000, while the next-generation Corsa is scheduled for 2027 on Stellantis’ STLA Small platform, followed by the Astra in 2028 on STLA Medium.