Vauxhall Corsa-e range, battery & charging
11kW home charging is extra, but don’t let that put you off; 100kW rapid charging from public points is standard across the Corsa-e range
| Range | Wallbox charge time | Rapid charge time |
|---|---|---|
| 209 miles | 7hrs 45mins (0-100%, 7.4kW) | 28mins (10-80%, 100kW) |
As with the Corsa-e’s Peugeot e-208 and DS 3 Crossback E-TENSE sister models, there’s currently only one battery option available. However, given the car’s diminutive size, few would wish for more – especially when you consider the 200-odd mile range on offer.
If you need to charge up while out and about, the Corsa's battery can be replenished to 80% capacity in about half an hour from a 100kW rapid charger. These are getting more common in the UK, but many public points are still 50kW – taking near-enough twice as long to perform the same task.
Vauxhall Connect – a feature of the MyVauxhall smartphone app – allows you to access information such as the remaining range and the cheapest recharging option, as well as pre-conditioning the interior to a set temperature. Smartphone users can also learn the charging status of their car, remotely start the air-conditioning and select the charging time required.
Vauxhall Corsa-e range
As mentioned, there’s only one 50kWh battery option with the Corsa-e, and every model is capable of driving for up to 209 miles on a charge according to official testing. The Corsa’s lower weight and more aerodynamic body gives it an extra 10 miles of official range compared to its DS 3 Crossback E-TENSE sibling, however in reality the range is likely to be closer to 170 miles – depending on the type of driving you do, and external factors like the weather and air temperature.
Charge time
Every version of the Vauxhall Corsa-e comes with a Type 2 cable for public charging, but you have to pay extra for a conventional three-pin plug, which seems a bit stingy given the car’s high list price.
The Corsa is available with either a 7.4 or 11kW on-board charger, which affects how quickly it can charge from an AC charging point. Of course, plugging in to a standard 7.4kW home wallbox limits the rate at which either model will charge – negating the benefits of the more expensive hardware. You need upgraded three-phase domestic electrics to use the 11kW charger, and this isn't very common in UK homes. We’d check before stumping up the necessary £850.
If you do, Vauxhall quotes a 15-80% charge in three hours and 20 minutes, compared to five hours for the 7.4kW setup. Regardless, all Corsa-e models come with a CCS port, ensuring an 80% top-up in as little as 30 minutes from a 100kW DC rapid public charger.
