The new, all-electric Vauxhall Vivaro-e van has been launched, tasked with rivalling the likes of the Mercedes eVito and Nissan e-NV200. It’ll be available to order from June this year, with first deliveries expected to arrive this September, once the government-imposed travel restrictions have been lifted.
The Vauxhall Vivaro-e is based on the same EMP2 platform as its conventionally-powered sibling, giving it comparable levels of practicality. As an electric version of the Vivaro was planned from the vehicle’s conception, the battery packs don’t intrude on cabin space, meaning the Vivaro-e’s maximum load volume remains unchanged at 6.6 cubic metres.
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In addition, its maximum payload is only 130kg less than the diesel model at 1,226kg. When it goes on sale this summer, the Vauxhall Vivaro-e will also be the only electric vehicle in its segment which is capable of pulling a trailer, with a towing capacity of one tonne.
The Vauxhall Vivaro-e shares its styling with the standard model, albeit with the addition of body coloured bumpers, painted door mirrors, new LED daytime running lights, a more intricate radiator grille and a charging port mounted on the front nearside wing.
It’s powered by the same electric motor as the Vauxhall Corsa-e and Peugeot e-208, which develops 134bhp and 260Nm of torque. The motor and its ancillaries occupy the same space as the diesel engine in the standard Vivaro, sending power to the front wheels via a single speed transmission. Top speed is electronically limited to 81mph.
Two battery sizes will be available from launch, with buyers offered either a 50kWh or a 75kWh unit. Vauxhall says the former battery pack offers a maximum WLTP range of 125 miles, while the latter provides a range of up to 188 miles. Both units feature an on-board 7.4kW charger as standard, although an 11kW system will be available as an optional extra.
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When plugged into a commercially available 100kW DC fast-charger, Vauxhall’s 50kWh battery pack will recover an 80 percent charge in around 30 minutes. Using the same system, the 75kWh unit will take around 45 minutes to achieve an identical state of charge.
Like the conventional Vivaro, standard equipment should include automatic headlamps, rain- sensing wipers, thickened side-glazing and a speed limiter. Buyers will also get a rear-view camera, a blind-spot monitoring system, semi-adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and a seven-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Vauxhall plans to further expand its electric portfolio over the coming years, as part of the brand’s pledge to deliver eight new electrified models by 2021. All-electric variants of the new Combo and Combo Life will be the next models to arrive, both of which will use a modified version of the Vivaro-e’s electric architecture. Vauxhall will also release an all-electric variant of the Vivaro Life before the end of next year.
What do you make of the new Vauxhall Vivaro-e? Let us know in the comments section below…