We study a model with a vector dark matter (DM) candidate interacting with the standard model (SM) charged leptons through a scalar portal. The dark matter candidate acquires mass when the complex scalar breaks an Abelian gauge symmetry spontaneously. The scalar interacts with the SM charged leptons through a dimension-6 operator. The scalar mediator induces elastic scattering of dark matter with electrons at tree level and also DM-nucleon interaction when the effects from scalar-Higgs mixing are taken into account. Given the recent results from Xenon1T upper bounds on DM-electron elastic scattering cross sections where the strongest sensitivity lies in the range ∼Oð1Þ GeV, we find the viable space in the parameter space respecting constraints from the observed relic density, direct detection, muon ðg μ − 2Þ anomaly, e þ e − colliders, electron beam-dump experiments and astrophysical observables. It is shown that the current upper bounds of Xenon1T on DM-electron interactions are partially sensitive to the regions in the viable parameter space which is already excluded by the electron beam-dump experiment, Orsay. We also find that there are viable DM particles with masses ∼Oð1Þ GeV evading the direct detection but standing well above the neutrino floor. Almost the same viable regions are found when we apply the direct detection upper limits on the DM-proton spin-independent cross section.
