Stellantis is to start production of its medium electric vans at its Luton plant in the UK from the first half of 2025.
Limited production of the group’s all-electric medium vans will get underway during spring next year, making Luton the second Stellantis plant in the UK to manufacture electric vehicles.
This follows the start of EV production at Ellesmere Port in 2023 – described by Stellantis as the UK’s first electric-only volume manufacturing plant and used to build the group’s small electric vans and their MPV versions.
The Luton plant will produce the fully electric Vauxhall/Opel Vivaro Electric, Peugeot E-Expert, Citroën ë-Dispatch and Fiat E-Scudo in both right- and left-hand drive. While output will predominantly focus on the UK right-hand drive market, Luton 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.
It’s the latest step on the pathway to electrification of all Stellantis sites producing vans in Europe and will coincide with Luton’s 120th anniversary.
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. Not only is this a fitting way to mark Luton’s 120th anniversary, but this decision also demonstrates confidence in the plant and marks the first step in its re-development as we look towards a fully electric future.”
The Luton site opened in 1905 and has been home to Vauxhall models for more than a century. The first commercial vehicles were assembled there in 1932 and it’s been used ever since to produce a range of commercial vehicles for the brand, joined in recent years by sister Stellantis models for Peugeot, Citroën, Opel and Fiat Professional.
Among the first electric vehicles to be produced at Luton, the Vauxhall Vivaro Electric is powered by a 75kWh battery paired with a 136hp electric motor. It is capable of up to 217 miles of range (WLTP), while a 5-80% charge can be completed in 45 minutes from a 100kW rapid charger.
