Vauxhall offers Combo Electric for same price as the diesel van

Vauxhall has announced new finance deals offering its Combo Electric van for the same price as the diesel-powered version.

The package, offered through Vauxhall’s in-house finance arm Leasys, means the UK-built van is available to businesses with an identical deposit, monthly payment and term to the diesel version.

The business contract hire deal starts at £329 per month over five years for the entry level Prime time, with a £1,974 deposit. A step up to £365 and a £2,190 deposit brings the higher spec Pro trim.

For Sole traders and small businesses in London, there is the added incentive of the ULEZ van scrappage scheme, which offers a grant of up to £9,500 grant to replace a non-compliant diesel van with an electric equivalent.

Vauxhall estimates that as well as identical purchase costs, the Combo Electric could be cheaper to run than the diesel version. For drivers covering 500 miles a week, it calculates that they will save £91 a month thanks to cheaper fuelling costs and current VED exemptions.

James Taylor, managing director of Vauxhall, said: “The removal of any additional upfront cost for van drivers looking to go electric is a significant step in our ambition to make electric mobility accessible to all.

“With identical monthly payments and lower running costs, it will allow Combo Electric customers to realise significant savings compared to the equivalent diesel version over the life of the vehicle. Manufactured at our Ellesmere Port plant, we are proud to offer businesses a British-built electric vehicle for such outstanding value.”

The new 134bhp Combo Electric can travel up to 213 miles on a single charge of its 52kWh battery (WLTP) – 38 miles further than its predecessor. It offers a class-leading payload of up to 781kg, with up to 4.4 cubic metres of storage space and a 750kg towing capacity.

Vauxhall previously announced a similar offer on its Corsa and Mokka electric passenger cars.