Stellantis will produce electric vans in Luton, UK, from 2025
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.
Stellantis has announced its decision to manufacture electric vans in Luton, UK, from 2025. Luton will become second Stellantis plant in UK to manufacture electric vehicles, following transformation of Ellesmere Port into the UK’s first EV-only volume manufacturing plant.
As stated by the manufacturer, 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.
Stellantis’ Luton plant: now also electric vans
Opened in 1905, Luton has been home to Vauxhall 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. Since then, Luton has continued to produce a range of popular commercial vehicles for Vauxhall. In 2001, production of the Vivaro began, which has recently had some major enhancements as part of a wider refresh of the entire Stellantis light commercial vehicle line-up. The plant also manufactures sister Stellantis models for Peugeot, Citroën, Opel and Fiat Professional.
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.”
“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”, added Maria Grazia Davino, Group Managing Director, Stellantis UK.
