Vauxhall has announced that production of its medium electric van – Vivaro Electric – will begin at its Luton manufacturing facility from the first half of 2025.
Limited production of Vivaro Electric, and its equivalent models from other Stellantis brands, will get underway during Spring next year, making Luton the second Stellantis plant in the UK to manufacture EVs.
This follows the start of EV production at Ellesmere Port in 2023 – the UK’s first electric-only volume manufacturing plant – with the Vauxhall Combo Electric.
The Luton plant will produce the fully electric Vauxhall Vivaro Electric, Opel Vivaro Electric, Peugeot E-Expert, Citroën ë-Dispatch and Fiat Professional E-Scudo in both right and left-hand drive.
It will manufacture mainly for the UK right hand drive market but will also be able to export to left hand drive markets.
Production of the equivalent internal combustion engine (ICE) vans will continue alongside the electric versions.
Among the first electric vehicles to be produced at Luton, the New Vauxhall Vivaro Electric, is powered by a 75kWh battery paired with a 100kW (136PS) electric motor.
It is capable of up to 217 miles of range, while a 5 to 80% charge can be completed in 45 minutes from a 100kW rapid charger.
Maria Grazia Davino, Group Managing Director, Stellantis UK, said, “Whilst this decision demonstrates Stellantis’ confidence in the plant, this first step in its re-development towards a fully electric future requires the UK Government to stimulate more demand in the electric vehicle market and support manufacturers that invest in the UK for a sustainable transition.”
