The Corsa’s gone EV with as little risk as possible, and ought to be a doddle to drive every day as a result
Overview
What is it?
Here is a Vauxhall Corsa that’s almost pioneering. And that’s something we’ve never been able to say before. This is the Corsa-e, and it’s a fully electric hatchback that looks just like its petrol-powered base car.
It’s not alone in its offer, nor is it the first of its kind. We did say almost pioneering. Indeed, it’s only come about because Vauxhall’s now owned by PSA and this is – effectively – a Peugeot e-208 in a plainer suit.
Vauxhall Corsa-e (Image: Vauxhall.co.uk)
But this is an electric Corsa long before there’s an electric Fiesta or Polo. For people who like buying badges they know from dealers around the corner, that could be enough to garner rather a lot of sales. Prices start at £27,165 with the government’s current EV grant applied, making it pricier than a base e-208, but it does come with more equipment.
The Corsa-e faces a tough bunch of rivals, launching at exactly the same time as the e-208 as well as the reijgged Renault Zoe and the adorable Honda e and Mini Electric. You won’t be buying this one to make a visual statement – especially among that lot – but perhaps that’s its appeal; electric power without making a song and dance about it.
It uses the same combination of 100kW power and 50kWh battery as the e-208, adding 345kg to a regular Corsa’s kerb weight but keeping it all in the floor. Better for handling, and it means room for people and luggage is mostly unimpeded too. The fully charged range is quoted at 209 miles.
Read more: Top Gear
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