Overview
The Vauxhall Vivaro Electric represents a cornerstone of the British commercial fleet, maintaining its position as one of the UK's top-selling electric vans. This medium-sized van bridges the gap between urban logistics and regional haulage. It competes directly against platform siblings like the Peugeot e-Expert and Citroën ë-Dispatch, as well as rivals such as the Ford E-Transit Custom. By integrating a fully electric powertrain into a body style identical to its diesel counterparts, Vauxhall offers commercial operators a zero-emission solution without sacrificing fundamental utility or load volume.
Design
Featuring Vauxhall's signature Vizor front, the Vivaro Electric presents a sleek, modern, and corporate appearance. The smooth, closed-off grille integrates the badge with sleek headlights, giving it a distinctive identity compared to traditional internal combustion vans. Clean side profiles are accented by protective lower body cladding and twin sliding side doors as standard, ensuring easy access in tight loading bays. Available in two body lengths, L1 Medium and L2 Long, the vehicle retains a strictly practical profile with a low overall height designed specifically to clear standard multi-storey car park barriers and urban height restrictors.
Interior
Inside, the cabin prioritises driver ergonomics and durable functionality. The dashboard features a clean, horizontal layed design dominated by a central 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system paired with a matching digital driver instrument cluster. Durable, hard-wearing plastics line the high-touch areas to withstand heavy use. The seating arrangement accommodates up to 3 people across a supportive driver seat and a double passenger bench. Storage options are extensive, including deep door pockets, overhead shelf storage, and a dual-dashboard glovebox setup.
Performance & Powertrains
Power is provided by a front-mounted electric motor delivering 136 hp and 260 Nm of torque. Energy is supplied by a 75 kWh battery pack, delivering a range of up to 219 miles. Charging is handled by a standard 7.4 kW single-phase onboard AC charger, with an optional 11 kW three-phase charger available for faster depot replenishment. Rapid charging is supported at speeds up to 100 kW DC, allowing a 10 to 80% top-up in approximately 45 minutes. Driving dynamics remain composed, benefiting from a low center of gravity due to floor-mounted battery placement, which minimises body roll through corners and enhances overall unladen ride comfort.
Practicality
Cargo capacity remains uncompromised compared to internal combustion variants because the battery is housed neatly beneath the floorboards. Medium L1 models offer a load volume of 5.3 cubic metres, expanding to 6.1 cubic metres in the Long L2 format. Cargo capabilities can be further enhanced using the FlexCargo load-through bulkhead, which extends usable load length up to 4,026 mm by utilizing space beneath the front passenger bench. Wide-opening 180-degree rear twin doors and low load sill heights facilitate straightforward forklift loading and manual cargo handling.
Buying
Pricing for the Vauxhall Vivaro Electric starts from £36,105 (excl. VAT). The lineup is structured around two main trim levels, Prime and Pro. Entry-level Prime models include automatic lights and wipers, rear parking sensors, cruise control, and twin sliding side doors. Stepping up to Pro adds satellite navigation, the FlexCargo load-through bulkhead, front parking sensors, and power-folding exterior mirrors. The EV Hub recommended configuration is the Vivaro Electric L1 Pro trim fitted with the optional 11 kW onboard charger, as it strikes the optimal balance between high practical cargo capacity, advanced driver convenience technology, and efficient overnight depot charging flexibility.