Luton will become the second Stellantis plant in the UK to manufacture electric vehicles (Ellesmere Port makes the Combo Electric).

Manufacturing of an electric medium panel van for Opel/Vauxhall – Vivaro - alongside its sister versions for Citroën, Peugeot and Fiat brands will begin at the Luton manufacturing facility from the first half of 2025.

Stellantis says Luton is part of the transformation to electrification of all Stellantis sites producing vans in Europe.

The Luton plant will produce the fully electric Vauxhall Vivaro Electric, Opel Vivaro Electric, Peugeot E-Expert, Citroën ë-Dispatch and Fiat Professional E-Scudo in both right and left-hand drive. The plant will manufacture predominantly for the UK Right Hand Drive market but 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.

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. This is a fitting way to mark Luton’s 120th anniversary.”

Maria Grazia Davino, Group Managing Director, Stellantis UK, said: “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.”

Opened in 1905, Luton has been home to Vauxhall – a former GM brand used in the UK only, the rest of Europe uses Opel for equivalent models - models for more than a century. The first commercial vehicles were assembled at the plant in 1932, with panel vans ‘VYC’ and ‘VXC’ the first vans to roll off the production line.

In 2001, production of the Vivaro began.

Among the first electric vehicles to be produced at Luton, the New Vauxhall Vivaro Electric is powered by a 75kWh battery paired with a 100kW (136PS) electric motor. It is capable of up to 217 miles of range (WLTP), while a 5-80% charge can be completed in just 45 minutes from a 100kW rapid charger.