New 2021 Vauxhall Combo-e electric van: details, specs and prices

This is the Combo-e: the latest, and most compact addition to Vauxhall's range of all-electric commercial vehicles, sitting below the Movano-e and Vivaro-e. Prices start from £25,238, excluding VAT but including the government’s plug-in van grant.

The Combo-e shares its mechanical platform with other small electric vehicles from the Stellantis Group brands, including the Vauxhall Corsa-e and Mokka-e. Underneath the bodywork is a 50kWh battery and 134bhp electric motor, which here return an estimated maximum driving range of 171 miles.

Acceleration from 0-60mph takes 11.2 seconds and top speed is capped at 80mph to preserve range. Rapid charging will be supported at speeds up to 100kW, which is sufficient for an 80% top-up in 30 minutes. A 7kW on-board charger (for use when topping up from a wallbox) is standard; this is upgradeable to 11kW as an option.

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The Combo-e will be available in two lengths, called L1H1 and L2H1. The former is 4.4 metres long and has a maximum load length of 3,090mm. It has a maximum payload of up to 800kg, a load volume of 3.8 cubic metres and is rated to tow up to 750kg. The L2H1 is 4.75 metres long and its load volume is extended to 4.4 cubic metres; it can accommodate objects up to 3,440mm long. In all models there are six tie rings on the floor for securing loads, while the L2H1 variant can carry two Euro pallets, one behind the other.

There are two trim levels available for the Combo-e panel van: Dynamic and Sportive. The first gets you DAB radio and Bluetooth, as well as rear parking sensors and a full-height steel bulkhead. It also comes equipped with Vauxhall Connect, which alerts emergency and breakdown services in the event of an accident or breakdown.

On the outside, Sportive models can be distinguished by their body-colour door mirrors and bumpers, metallic paint and full-diameter wheel trims. While inside, Sportive models come with an 8-inch colour touchscreen and what Vauxhall calls the ‘FlexCargo’ pack, which consists of a dual front passengers’ fixed bench seat, a fold-flat centre seat backrest with table, a two-way foldable outer seat and a load-through bulkhead.

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The Combo-e in Dynamic trim starts from £25,238 in L1H1 form, or £26,438 if you go for the longer body (both prices include the plug-in grant, but exclude VAT). Upgrading to the Sportive trim will cost you £26,278 for the L1H1 version, or £27,478.33 for the L2H1 model (also excluding VAT, and after the grant is deducted).

The crew variants of the Combo-e L2H1 can seat up to four passengers as well as the driver, with cargo and equipment safely stowed behind the bulkhead. A flap in the mesh bulkhead allows longer items to be transported if necessary. Prices for this version of the Combo-e start from £28,218 (excluding VAT) after the grant is deducted, however, it is only available in Dynamic trim.

The Combo-e will be a direct rival for the Citroen e-Berlingo, Peugeot e-Partner and Mercedes eCitan. Other rivals include the taxi-based LEVC VN5, as well as the forthcoming all-new Renault Kangoo E-TECH, which shares its electric internals with the Renault ZOE hatchback.