Vauxhall creates a buzz with the electric Vivaro-E

If you’ve been following recent events in the medium van sector, you might be aware of Vauxhall’s high-profile mission to electrify its entire van offering. It’s a huge priority for the company, and the Vauxhall Vivaro-e represents the latest step in that electrification strategy. The Vivaro-e the pure battery electric version of its best-selling Vivaro medium van, which has been a firm favourite of the industry for ages. As the home of the UK’s best new van deals right here at Van Discount, personally we’re watching this one with particular interest. How will the Vivaro-e attract new buyers to Vauxhall’s increasingly electrified offering, and will it be successful enough to jolt other manufacturers into doing the same?

A QUICK LOW-DOWN ON THE BEST-SELLING VAUXHALL VIVARO

Originally based on the Renault Trafic, the Vauxhall Vivaro has been roving our highways since 2001, and is now in its third generation. With its impressive payload capacity, excellent driver comfort and a whole host of other benefits and features, it’s no wonder that it still holds the top spot as one of Vauxhall’s best selling medium vans. As you’d expect, it’s a mainstay of the best new van deals you’ll find on our site right here at Van Discount!

The latest version, the Vivaro C, has just been released only five years after we were introduced to its predecessor, the Vivaro B. There’s a good reason for that – now that Vauxhall is owned by the Peugeot Citroen PSA Group, the newest Vivaro has undergone a subtle but significant design change. It’s now based on the same platform as the Citroen Dispatch and Peugeot Expert rather than the Renault Trafic, with its new owners keen to cement their claim to this globally popular van.

The diesel variants in particular have become known for their practicality and comfort, and amongst the upgrades to the Vivaro C are an increased towing capacity (by 25%), a boost in fuel economy (by 28%), a drop in fuel emissions (by 19%), and a substantial increase in payload. Now, its maximum payload is up to over 1.4 tonnes, making it one of the highest ratings in the mid-size van sector. What’s more, its EMP2 basis gives it a smooth driving experience comparable to many passenger cars, with a whole host of available safety equipment to match. Already, the understandable success of this latest Vivaro bodes well for its electrified version!

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THE ELECTRIFIED VIVARO-E?

Like the standard Vivaro, the Vivaro-e will use the EMP2 platform, which enables the use of both conventional and electrified powertrains for this new van. Customers will have the option to choose between two battery sizes. The 50kWh battery can give the Vivaro a range of 125 miles, whereas the 75kWh provides an even more impressive range of about 185 miles, according to the WLTP. It’s the perfect choice for business owners looking to cut their emissions, and you’ll be glad to hear that it’s far from a one-off for Vauxhall.

The British brand has already released an electrified version of the Corsa (known as the Corsa-e) and another plug-in hybrid Grandland X Hybrid4 to its product range. It plans to deliver a total of eight electrified models by 2021 – around two years from now – and aims to have electrified its entire portfolio by 2024. Right now, it’s currently developing an electric version of the Mokka X, and by 2021 we’ll have also have electric versions of the Combo and Combo Life, as well as an electric variant of the Vivaro Life. It represents a seismic shift in the Vauxhall’s business strategy over the past few decades, so it’ll be interesting to see how long it’ll be before we start to see the other huge manufacturers follow suit!

In the meantime, you can always count on being able to browse the very best new van deals right here on our site at Van Discount. Our mission is to take the hassle out of buying a new van, and our 30 years of experience allows us to guarantee the best prices on leading models from global brands like Ford, Volkswagen and Renault – just to name a few! Why not take a look around, and see which one suits you best? Don’t forget, we’re always happy to help you with any questions or queries you might have – just give us a call on 01282 872 530. We’re here to help!