The German car manufacturer Opel, which is now part of the Stellantis Group, plans to only sell electric cars in Europe from 2028 onwards.

Opel wants to expand in China and bring a “Manta E” onto the market to increase the brand's emotions.

That's what Opel boss Michael Lohscheller said at the presentation of the Group's electric strategy, which includes 14 car brands from Peugeot and Citroen to Opel and Maserati to Fiat, Chrysler and Jeep.

Tobias Piller

Economic correspondent for Italy and Greece based in Rome.

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    The group, led by Carlos Tavares, promises to invest a total of 30 billion euros in electrification and software by 2025.

    According to Tavares' plans, the return on investment should be 30 percent better than the industry average.

    Stellantis promises annual synergies between the merged corporations PSA (Peugeot) and FCA (Fiat-Chrysler) of 5 billion euros annually, which should ultimately also make electrical engineering cheaper.

    The aim is to achieve a double-digit operating return on sales by 2026 and make the group a role model for profitability with electric cars.

    Several vehicle platforms already developed

    According to technology boss Harald Wester, Stellantis has already developed four different electric platforms for a completely new range of electric cars. They should be suitable for small, medium-sized and large cars or crossover models, as well as for large SUVs and delivery vans. A range of 500 to 800 kilometers is promised, with the option of recharging 360 kilometers in 20 minutes.

    The introduction of the new electrical engineering will differ depending on the brand. Peugeot is expected to sell 85 percent electric cars as early as 2023, and no more models with an electric motor from 2025 onwards. For the Italian brand Fiat, the final switch is promised for when electric and gasoline cars cost the same. By 2030, a total of 70 percent of sales in Europe will be accounted for by electric cars, whereas in the United States, where many off-road vehicles have been sold to date, only 40 percent.