Vauxhall has announced that production of its Vivaro Electric van will begin at its Luton manufacturing plant from the first half of 2025.
Limited production of the medium-sized electric vehicle, and its equivalent models from other Stellantis brands, will start in spring next year, making Luton the second Stellantis factory in the UK to manufacture EVs.
It follows the start of EV production at Ellesmere Port in 2023 – the UK’s first electric-only volume manufacturing facility – 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, mainly for the UK right hand drive market but be also 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.
Mark Noble, Luton Plant Director & Stellantis UK Manufacturing Lead, said: “Following the transformation of our Ellesmere Port facility to produce all-electric compact vans, I’m pleased to announce that we will commence limited production of our medium electric van in Luton from next year, when the first customer vehicles will roll off the production line.
“This is a fitting way to mark Luton’s 120th anniversary.”
