VAUXHALL VIVARO ELECTRICI-TEA – THE ULTIMATE TEA-MAKING VAN FOR TRADESPEOPLE ON THE GO

• Vauxhall unveils the Vivaro Electrici-TEA, an electric tea-making van concept providing tradespeople with everything they need to make the perfect cuppa while on the job
• The one-off concept from Vauxhall is equipped with a built-in tea-making station, including an electric kettle, fridge, sink and sugar dispenser, all housed neatly within the Vivaro Electric’s impressive load volume of up to 6.6m3, with ample room left for essential tools and materials
• Research commissioned by Vauxhall has found that tradespeople consume three to four cups of tea per day on average, with half (49%) of tradespeople saying a good hot drink can make their day
• The Vivaro Electric has a 75kWh battery offering a range of up to 219 miles (WLTP) and can be charged from 5-80% in 45 minutes
• Find out more about the Vivaro Electrici-TEA concept and the Vauxhall electric van range at vauxhall.co.uk/electrici-tea  

In a nation known for its unwavering love of tea, with approximately 100 million cups drunk by Brits daily*, Vauxhall has responded in uniquely British fashion with the Vivaro Electrici-TEA, a one-off concept designed to provide tradespeople with the perfect tea break from the comfort of their very own van.

New research from Vauxhall** has found that nearly all tradespeople (90%) say a good cup of tea has a positive impact on their day, and almost half (49%) believe that getting a good hot drink can even make their day.

According to the poll, almost half of tradespeople (46%) enjoy three to four cups of tea per day, and just under a quarter (22%) will drink five to six cups, while 6% drink seven cups or more.

Although 71% appreciate it when a customer makes them a cup of tea, almost half (49%) said they prefer a tea they’ve made themselves, with the main reason (60%) being that it’s because they know how they like it, and just under half (48%) said that it tastes better when they make it.

Unsurprisingly, 93% of tradespeople polled said that if they had the facilities to make their own tea while on the go, they would likely do so.

The one-of-a-kind Vauxhall Vivaro Electrici-TEA van includes an electric kettle, tea bag dispenser, a perfect brew tea timer, thermal mugs, a fridge with space for milk or milk alternatives, and a sink with a 10-litre water supply, plus a tin for snack storage.

The tea-making station is conveniently accessed via one of the standard twin sliding side doors of the Vivaro Electric and is easily accommodated within the impressive load volume of up to 6.6m³. Each item in the tea-making van has its own custom-made space so it can be stored securely when on the move.

When it comes to making the perfect cup of tea for tradespeople, Vauxhall’s research found that the tea bag should be steeped for just one minute and 53 seconds, and the tea should be served not boiling but “warm”, and “just cool enough to sip comfortably”. Almost three-quarters (72%) of tradespeople add sugar to their tea, with an even split between those who prefer one or two teaspoons (32% each).

The Vauxhall study also revealed the top three choices of tea bags preferred by British tradespeople: Yorkshire Tea (37%), PG Tips (22%), and Tetley (19%), which are housed in the built-in tea dispenser found in the tea-making station within the Vivaro Electrici-TEA van.

“A cup of tea” (49%), “cuppa” (45%), and “brew” (34%) are the most common phrases used by tradespeople when getting a tea, and 13% of those aged 18 to 24 even use the term “a Rosie Lee”.

While on a job, over a third (35%) of tradespeople prefer to enjoy a cup of tea outside in the fresh air, closely followed by 29% who opt to drink it in their van. The top choice of biscuit to accompany the perfect brew is the chocolate digestive, according to over a third (35%) of those polled, with 62% saying they regularly dunk their biscuit in their tea.

Steve Catlin, Vauxhall Managing Director, said: “With 90% of tradespeople saying that a good hot drink has a positive impact on their day, we wanted to create the ultimate tea-making solution for the thirsty tradespeople of Britain; the Vivaro Electrici-TEA concept does exactly that, providing all the tools necessary to create that perfect brew from the comfort of their own van.

“The builder’s brew can mean a wide variety of things, but our research puts the uncertainty to bed to ensure those working on site get what they are looking for.

“Vauxhall is proud to be the UK’s best-selling electric van manufacturer and one of the top choices for British tradespeople, and we created the Vivaro Electrici-TEA concept with them in mind. It’s time we put an end to poorly made cuppas and give tradespeople the right tool for the job.”

Top tips for making the perfect builder’s tea

1. Add the preferred tea bag to the mug - Yorkshire Tea was voted top tea bag by 37% of tradespeople
2. Pour boiling water into the mug - 76% of tradespeople add the tea bag before milk
3. Steep the tea bag for one minute 53 seconds – the average time tradespeople brew their tea for
4. Gently squeeze the tea bag on the side of the mug and remove the tea bag – take out the tea bag before adding anything else
5. Add one or two teaspoons of sugar - 72% of tradespeople add sugar to their tea, with an even split between those who prefer one or two teaspoons (32% each)
6. Add milk for medium strength tea – semi-skimmed milk is the milk of choice for 39%
7. Serve the tea, ‘warm not boiling, and just cool enough to sip comfortably’ – the temperature of choice for 59% of tradespeople
8. Finally, for a reliable accompaniment to the perfect builder’s tea, enjoy a chocolate digestive - a firm favourite among tradespeople, with 34% opting for it as their biscuit of choice to enjoy with a cup of tea

ENDS

*International Tea Committee (ITC), May 2024

**Vauxhall survey of 1,000 tradespeople who drive a van for work, conducted in partnership with OnePoll, October 2025

PRESS CONTACTS

Mason Finney - Public Relations Manager

mason.finney@stellantis.com

+44(0)7788 178394

Matthew Bendall - Head of Public Relations

matthew.bendall@stellantis.com

+44(0)7920 163854

ABOUT VAUXHALL MOTORS

Vauxhall Motors started making cars in the UK in 1903. Today, as the oldest and most familiar of Britain’s automotive manufacturers, its philosophy is to build vehicles that are relevant to all and offer design, high levels of equipment and technology, and electrification at an attainable level. Vauxhall is one of few automotive brands to produce electric vehicles in Britain at its manufacturing plant in Ellesmere Port – the UK’s first electric-only manufacturing plant where the Combo Electric van is made.  Vauxhall’s Electric Streets of Britain campaign raises the profile of the need for more on-street electric vehicle charging so that everyone can benefit from the switch to electric.  Find out more at www.electricstreets.co.uk  

Vauxhall is part of Stellantis NV, a global leader created for the new era of sustainable mobility as a result of the merger between Groupe PSA and FCA Group in January 2021. Vauxhall is a leader in electrification – as of 2021, it was one of the first manufacturers to offer fully electric versions of all its vans. Since the end of 2024, Vauxhall has offered a fully electric version of every model in its car and van line-up. Info: www.vauxhall.co.uk