Stellantis plans EV production in Luton

Stellantis, the parent company of Vauxhall, will produce limited numbers of electric vans at its Luton factory from 2025.  Medium-size vans will be produced for all five of the Stellantis brands, including Vauxhall Vivaro Electric, Citroën ë-Dispatch, Peugeot E-Expert, and Fiat Professional E-Scudo.

While the factory will predominantly supply vehicles for the UK’s right-hand drive market, it will also be able to export left- hand drive vehicles for overseas markets. Diesel van production will continue alongside the EVs.

The other British Stellantis factory, in Ellesmere Port, was the first in the UK to go fully-electric when it switched production over to EVs last year.

Mark Noble, Luton plant director and 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 at Stellantis UK, added: “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.”