Opel cancels electric version of Junior minicar

Perhaps the confidence was overstated. Opel/Vauxhall now says it will not offer an electric version of its upcoming, entry-level Junior minicar.

The electric minicar program, referred to internally as Junior BEV S-04404, has been axed due to "excessively high" costs, according to documents obtained by Automotive News Europe. This decision means that Opel/Vauxhall will not have a battery-powered mini to complete with electric rivals, including the Peugeot iOn, Citroen C-Zero and the upcoming Volkswagen E-Up!

Opel confirmed to Automotive News Europe that the electric Junior has been taken out of the automaker's future production schedule:

We will launch a pure battery electric vehicle, but we will postpone the electric Junior until further notice. At the same time, we will analyze the market opportunities for pure battery electric vehicles very carefully.

So, until further notice, the electric Junior is no more.