Vauxhall has become the first manufacturer to offer an electric vehicle (EV) at the same price as one with a petrol engine, revealing that prices for the new electric and hybrid Frontera SUV will both start at £23,495 on the road.

The move comes at a time when battery-electric models are priced on average at 31% above their petrol equivalents, and according to industry sources pricing them at the same amount will not provide profit parity with the combustion-engined (ICE) models.

Vauxhall has been actively attempting to stimulate EV sales as it works to meet the demands of the Government’s Zero-Emission Vehicle mandate – the brand already offers EVs at the same monthly PCP cost as ICE variants, but over five years instead of four.

The ZEV mandate requires 22% of a manufacturer’s sales to be zero-emission in 2024, rising to 80% in 2030, at which point the Government could ban the sale of new ICE vehicles anyway. The Labour election manifesto included a pledge to reverse the Conservative Government’s delay in the ICE sales ban to 2035, and there have been recent indications that the new Government intends to honour that commitment.

There is an increasing feeling in the industry that while the majority of manufacturers are committed to meeting the 2024 22% figure and expect to do so, future figures, including 33% in 2026, will be far more difficult to achieve without the Government providing some stimulus to revive currently stalling retail sales of EVs.

The new Frontera Electric will be sold in two formats offering a range up to around 186 or 248 miles – these figures still to be WLTP confirmed. Potential buyers will also be able to take advantage of Vauxhall’s Plug & Go offer, which includes a free Octopus Energy Ohme Pro wallbox and installation (worth £975) when customers buy online.

As an alternative to the wallbox electric buyers can choose one year’s free charging credit at Tesco stores across the country, or a £675 roaming charging credit with Octopus Electroverse.

The Frontera Hybrid, which offers seven seats, will be on sale with 100hp or 136hp 1.2-litre turbo engines with 48V hybrid assistance. Both versions will be available in two trim levels, dubbed Design and GS.

Vauxhall managing director James Taylor describes the launch of the new Frontera Electric as a milestone in the brand’s mission to make electric mobility accessible to everyone across the UK. “Vauxhall is leading the way in democratising access to electric vehicles, whether through our Electric Streets campaign to accelerate on-street charging infrastructure, our latest PCP offers with equivalent monthly payments between electric and petrol models, or our affordable new special editions,” Taylor said.