Vauxhall has revealed its Vivaro-e electric van, which goes on sale in June and will offer up to an 205-mile official range along with a 1,226kg payload.
Starting deliveries from the autumn, the Vivaro-e is part of Vauxhall/Opel’s previously outlined electrification offensive and will be joined by the electric Combo-e in 2021; Vauxhall will offer an electrified version of every passenger car and LCV model by 2024.
Built on the same line as the diesel-engined Vivaro, it’ll be available as a double-cab and a panel van in two lengths – with a passenger vehicle to follow – and will play a key role with helping fleets to go green, answering growing calls for more vehicle manufacturers to launch right-hand drive electric vans for the UK market.
Vauxhall is targeting it as more than just a final-mile solution thanks to its official WLTP range of up to 205 miles from a 75kWh lithium-ion battery; a smaller 50kWh battery with a range of up to 143 miles will be targeted at business users covering smaller areas.
Its payload of up to 1,226kg also enables it to compete with similar LCVs with internal combustion engines and is only 130kg less than a standard diesel Vivaro.
Vauxhall also says it’s the UK’s only fully electric LCV capable of towing a trailer (with a maximum towing capacity of 1.0-tonne).
The battery is located under the load compartment to avoid impacting load space and also ensuring a low centre of gravity. The Vivaro-e also offers an optional FlexCargo feature that extends lead lengths by 1.2m, enabling the L1H1 and L2H1variants to securely store items, such as ladders, up to 3.67 or 4.02m in length. FlexCargo also increases maximum cargo capacities to 5.8 and 6.6m3 respectively.
The electric motor provides 136hp of power with 260Nm of torque, giving an electronically controlled maximum speed of 81mph.
With a 100kW DC public charging station, charging of the 50kWh battery to 80% takes 30 minutes, rising to 45 minutes for the 75kWh battery. Operators can use the standard, single-phase 7.4kW on-board charger or upgrade to a three-phase 11kW charger, if required.
Drivers can also make use of the VauxhallConnect e-remote control functions, enabling them to check the battery’s state-of-charge or programme air conditioning and charging times from their smartphones. Other VauxhallConnect features include eCall and breakdown calls to services such as real-time navigation and vehicle status and information.
As per the standard Vivaro, equipment includes a range of driver assistance systems, from head-up display to Lane Keep Assist, Extended Traffic Sign Recognition, Drowsiness Alert, Semi-adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Alert and Automatic Emergency Braking.
Other features available include Multimedia Radio and Multimedia Navi Pro infotainment systems with a 7.0-inch touchscreen, and offering phone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Multimedia Navi Pro additionally features European navigation with 3D view.
