Overview
Vauxhall Motors is part of the Netherlands based Stellantis N.V., which was formed by the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (Italian/ American) and Groupe PSA (French). You may not be familiar with these names, but the automotive brands in the portfolio would be well known to most consumers.
These include: Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Jeep, FIAT, Alfa Romeo etc. The Vauxhall electric vehicle (EV) portfolio includes both, battery-electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models:
- All-Electric Vauxhall Mokka-e SUV
- All-Electric Vauxhall Corsa-e Hatchback
- Vauxhall Grandland Plug-In Hybrid SUV
- Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Plug-In Hybrid
- Vauxhall Astra Plug-In Hybrid
- Vauxhall Combo Life Electric
- Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric
Electric Cars: The Basics
For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following blog categories:
Types Of Electric Cars: The Complete Guide For The UK
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Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric MPV
If you are seeking a large environmentally-friendly MPV, like the all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQV, but at a more affordable price point, then the Vivaro Life Electric MPV is certainly worth considering. Despite the continued increase in family electric cars over the past few years, the availability of a 9-seater pure electric family car is still relatively limited.
The Vivaro is the largest MPV from Vauxhall. An MPV is a Multi-Purpose-Vehicle, sometimes also referred to as a ‘people carriers’. The Vivaro Life Electric is built on the same platform as the Vivaro commercial van, which is also also shared by other automotive brands in the Stellantis Group.
Given the size of the Vivaro Life EV, it is indeed a pity that automotive manufacturer has an onboard EV battery limited to 50 kWh, and not a second EV battery size option. For an 9-seater electric MPV an EV battery size over 75 kWh would be more appropriate, so that the electric range is useful and pratical.
The manufacturer claims an emission-free electric range up to 141 miles (WLTP) on a fully charged battery. Of course, the real-world electric range will be lower, impacted by a number of factors, to include: payload, driving profile, weather conditions, temperature, onboard services used etc. Expect a real-world e-range closer to 120 miles. For city driving a 120 miles EV range is decent, however, for longer motorway journeys, not as practical.
Having said that, Vauxhall offers DC charging up to 100 kW DC, which is good. Charging the electric MPV at 100 kW DC, the EV battery can achieve 80% charge in 30 minutes. Of course, the key is finding a 100 kW rapid charger on your route.
Vauxhall has incorporated, as standard, a single-phase 7.4 kW AC onboard charger. However, there is an option to upgrade to a three-phase 11 kW AC onboard charger, at an additional cost. Given that most homes in the UK are powered by single-phase power supply, there is no need to upgrade. However, if you do have access to three-phase EV charging at home or at the workplace, then, certainly worth upgrading to the 11 kW AC onboard charger.
In any case, most electric cars are charged at home, and overnight. In fact, more than 80% of EV charging is done at home. Charging at 7 kW AC single-phase via a dedicated residential EV charger like myenergy zappi, the EV can be fully charged in 7 hours and 30 minutes.
At 11 kW AC 3 phase EV charging, the electric family car can be fully charged in 5 hours. Though the e-MPV can be charged using a standard 3-PIN domestic plug, we at e-zoomed discourage using a domestic plug to charge an electric vehicle. It will take up to 21 hours and 45 minutes to charge the EV.
In any case, we at e-zoomed encourage a ‘topping up’ approach to charging an electric vehicle. This is beneficial for the long-term maintenance of the onboard EV battery and of course, EV charging times are shorter. Vauxhall offers a 8 years or 100,000 miles warranty.
In terms of performance, the front-wheel drive (FWD) Vivaro Life electric delivers a maximum power up to 136 PS and 260 Nm torque. The EV can achieve 0-62 mph in 13.1 seconds. The top speed is 81 mph. The performance is adequate for this type of family vehicle. The Vauxhall electric MPV also incorporates regenerative braking to improve the efficiency of the EV and increase the electric range.
The EV has three driving modes: Power, Normal and Eco. For maximum range and energy efficiency, the ECO mode deactivates all unnecessary energy-consuming features and reduces the top speed, torque and performance. The Power mode is for the highest performance (speed/ torque). Of course, the Power mode impacts negatively the electric range.
The electric MPV is available in two lengths: Medium 9-Seater (4.9 metres) and Long 9-Seater (5.3 metres). The e-MPV has a number of seat configurations, to include the second-row seats that can swivel round, for face-to-face travel. The nine-seater has ample head room and legroom for all passengers, to include adults in the third row. In any case, the electric MPV offers ample space and practicality.
The family electric MPV has a host of safety features and technology on offer, to include: an 8-inch colour touchscreen, 10-inch colour instrument display, rear parking distance sensors, automatic emergency braking with
pedestrian detection, electronic stability programme with traction control, forward collision alert, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, speed sign recognition, driver drowsiness system and more.
Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet. You can lease electric vehicles (EVs) via e-zoomed at very competitive prices!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Value for money large e-MPV | Available in only one battery size |
| 100 kW DC charging | Limited electric range |
| Up to 9 seats | Performance will not set the heart racing |
Gallery
The Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric MPV (credit: Vauxhall)
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) |
| Body Type: | MPV |
| Plug-In Car Grant (PiCG): | Not Available |
| Engine: | Electric |
| Available In UK: | Yes |
| Variants (4 Options) |
|---|
| Vauxhall Vivaro Life Combi M (Medium) 9-seater (from £37,320) |
| Vauxhall Vivaro Life Combi L (Long) 9-seater (from £37,520) |
| Vauxhall Vivaro Life Elite M (Medium) 8-seater (from £50,630) |
| Vauxhall Vivaro Life Elite L (Long) 8-seater (from £50,990) |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery sizes: 50 kWh |
| Charging: | 100 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 30 mins). Onboard charger 7.4 kW AC (0%-100%: 7 hrs 30 mins) |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 0g (CO2/km) |
| EV Battery Warranty: | 8 years or 100,000 miles |
| Charging Times (Overview) | |
|---|---|
| Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW): | 6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC) |
| Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW): | 3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Rapid charging AC (43 kW): | 0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Rapid charging DC (50 kW+): | 0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Ultra rapid charging DC (150 kW+): | 0-80% : 20 mins to 40 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Tesla Supercharger (120 kW – 250 kW): | 0-80%: up to 25 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
- Note 1: SoC: state of charge
| Dimensions (Medium/Long) | |
|---|---|
| Height (mm): | 1925 |
| Width (mm): | 2204 |
| Length (mm): | 4956 – 5306 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 3275 |
| Turning Radius (m): | N/A |
| Boot Space (L): | N/A |
| Vivaro Life Electric | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 50 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 129 – 141 miles |
| Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100 km): | 24.3 – 26.6 |
| Charging: | 100 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 30 mins). Onboard charger 7.4 kW AC (0%-100%: 7 hrs 30 mins) |
| Top Speed: | 81 mph |
| 0-62 mph: | 13.1 seconds |
| Drive: | Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) |
| Max Power (PS): | 136 |
| Torque (Nm): | 260 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 8/9 |
| Gross Vehicle Weight (kg): | 2,965 – 3,030 |
| Colours: | 5 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | Three-Star |
While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.
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