Production of electric vans is set to commence in Luton next year, as Stellantis has announced plans to manufacture fully electric versions of its Vauxhall Vivaro Electric and its counterparts from Citroen, Fiat, and Peugeot at its Bedfordshire factory.
The Luton plant will complement Stellantis' Ellesmere Port facility, the UK's first dedicated electric-only volume manufacturing plant, which produces the manufacturing giant’s range of compact electric vans.
Starting in the Spring of next year, limited production of the group’s all-electric medium vans will begin, including the Citroen e-Dispatch, Fiat E-Scudo, Peugeot E-Expert and Vauxhall Vivaro Electric.
Meanwhile, the production of existing diesel-powered vans will continue in parallel with the new electric models.
Mark Noble, Luton plant director and Stellantis UK manufacturing lead:
“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.”
Maria Grazia Davino, group managing director, Stellantis UK:
“Whilst this decision demonstrates Stellantis’ confidence in the plant, this first step in its re-development towards a fully electric future requires the UK Government to stimulate more demand in the electric vehicle market and support manufacturers that invest in the UK for a sustainable transition.”
The Luton plant has been an integral part of Vauxhall’s history since its opening in 1905, producing vehicles for more than a century. The plant began assembling commercial vehicles in 1932, with the ‘VYC’ and ‘VXC’ panel vans, with various Vauxhall commercial vehicles following over the decades. Most recently, production of the popular Vivaro started in 2001, with the van recently receiving a substantial upgrade.
Stellantis led the UK electric van market, combining registrations from its Citroen, Fiat, Peugeot and Vauxhall brands, with a 47.9% share. The Vauxhall Vivaro Electric was the nation’s best-selling electric van in 2023 for the third year running.
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