Opel has confirmed that an all-electric version of the Vivaro van will arrive in Ireland next year.
200km or 300km range versions
Due to go on sale in the second half of 2020, the Vivaro-e will come in two versions with a WLTP-certified range of up to 200km, or up to 300km. The shorter-range version uses a 50kWh battery, while the 300km range model gets a larger 75kWh battery. Opel says that van operators who work primarily in urban environments are becoming keener and keener on using zero-emissions vehicles.
All Opel models to have electric versions by 2024
As with the standard diesel model, the Vivaro-e uses the same EMP2 platform, which means it has been designed for electric and hybrid power from the get-go. "Opel is going electric. All Opel models will be electrified by 2024," said Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller, "customers can then choose an electric variant of each model. Electrified LCVs will be especially important for the 'last mile' in urban areas, for example, as a people carrier or delivery van. That is why I am very happy that the Vivaro-e will already become available next year, while the electrified versions of the Opel Combo Life, Combo Cargo and Zafira Life will arrive in 2021."
New standard Vivaro just arriving in dealers
The Vivaro-e is part of a 3rd-generation of Vivaro that started arriving in dealerships just a few weeks ago. The standard car is available in three lengths of 4.6 metres, 4.95 metres, and 5.3 metres, and can carry a payload of up to 1,400kg. Opel hasn't given us load carrying specifications for the electric Vivaro-e yet, but it's likely to be able to haul around a one-tonne load, and it should retain useful features from the standard van such as the sensor-controlled sliding doors and the 'FlexCargo' load-through hatch.