The UK is at risk of stalling in the transition to electric vehicles, the manufacturer behind an Ellesmere Port factory has warned.

Vauxhall, which last last year saw Ellesmere Port become the first UK factory to manufacture only electric vehicles, has expressed dismay in response to the Government's Spring Budget, specifically a lack of measures to help get motorists to make the switch from petrol and diesel.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a freeze on fuel duty, plus an extension to the 5p cut in fuel duty for another 12 months.

James Taylor, managing director of Vauxhall, said: “Today’s Spring Budget has not delivered the acceleration needed to stop the UK’s transition to electric vehicles from stalling.

“If we are to meet the rightly ambitious targets laid out in the Government’s Zero Emission Vehicle mandate (80% of all cars sold to be electric by 2030) then there needs to be incentives for private car buyers to make the switch to electric as there are in the majority of European nations.

“Vauxhall will already offer its entire car and van line-up as electric by the end of this year and has a number of highly competitive offers available but we cannot drive demand alone.

“Whilst there are strong incentives for company car drivers to make the switch to electric – including for those choosing luxury vehicles – the private buyer who wants a more attainable small or family car receives nothing.

“Furthermore, if you can charge your electric vehicle at home with off-street parking then you will pay 5% VAT on your electricity. If you don’t have a driveway and rely on public chargers then you will pay 20% VAT on your electricity. We support the FairCharge campaign for a fairer taxation on charging.

“We would call on the Chancellor to urgently set up purchase incentives to stimulate the electric vehicle market and review the unfair taxation on public charging so that the UK isn’t left behind in the race to more sustainable motoring.”

Vauxhall will be offering an electric version of every car and van in its range by the end of this year, with the Combo Electric being made at the Ellesmere Port plant.

Last year the car manufacturer launched a national campaign aimed at supporting councils to accelerate the installation of on-street residential electric vehicle charging, and this year has teamed up with Tesco's charging network, offering new Vauxhall electric vehicle customers a year's free charging credit to use at its stores nationwide.