Peugeot electric cars

Why you should drive a Peugeot electric car

Electric cars are becoming more and more popular as we head toward 2030 when petrol and diesel cars will no longer be sold in the UK. At the forefront of that change were manufacturers like Renault and Nissan, but Peugeot have caught up seriously quickly and are now producing some of the best EVs on sale right now.

With stylish looks inside and out, and plenty of driving technology to keep you and the family safe and entertained, a Peugeot electric car might be exactly what you’re looking for. And with all Peugeot’s in the UK to be electric by 2035, it’s no wonder they’re putting so much effort into their EV models.

We’ll give you a quick run-down on this French brand and explain why their EVs should be on your shortlist.

Our range of Peugeot electric cars

How long has Peugeot been producing electric cars?

Believe it or not, Peugeot actually created their first electric car way back in 1941 in the midst of the Second World War:

The VLV was designed for urban use and had a maximum range of 50 miles. Topping out at 21mph, it would be way out of its depth in the modern day, but it did the trick during one of the most difficult times in European history. 

Fast forward 50 years to the 1990s and Peugeot unveiled the all-electric 106 Electrique, which was sold to drivers in the UK during that decade. Despite the five-century gap, Peugeot could only eek out another 12 miles from the 106 over the VLV, meaning a range of just 62 miles. Sadly, that wasn’t really good enough for consumers at the time and it wasn’t the huge commercial success Peugeot were hoping it could be… it did get people talking though.

For many years up to this point, Peugeot were part of the PSA group (Peugeot Société Anonyme) which owned brands like Citroën and Vauxhall, making millions of cars worldwide; they held monopoly in some countries as one of the most popular manufacturers. It wasn’t until recently in the 21^st century when they merged with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) to become the multi-national Stellantis. Since their merger, Stellantis are the fourth largest automaker around the world behind the Volkswagen Group and Toyota.

This huge backing means Peugeot are now focussing their efforts on electrifying their range and bringing them bang-up-to-date. They made headlines when the Peugeot e-2008 was released, with its striking looks and genuinely useable range and charging speed. The e-2008 really showed what modern electric cars can really do and prompted other manufacturers to start catching up.

Peugeot electric cars range

Does Peugeot have an electric car? As it happens, they have a few which cater for different needs:

• e-208 – their all-electric hatchback. Similarly sized to a Vauxhall Corsa-e, the e-208 is a small runabout with great driving dynamics, fast charging and a premium interior that shone above many of its rivals. The e-208 was Autocar’s Best Electric Car in the ‘Britain’s Best Car Awards’ 2020.
• e-2008 – the e-208s bigger brother. This car is like the e-208, with a similarly nippy motor and striking interior design, but with added practicality. A higher roofline, raised driving position and larger boot make this a Vauxhall Mokka-e rival with families at its core.
• e-308 and e-308 SW – the larger hatchback to rival cars like the Volkswagen ID.3. This car is already available as a plug-in Hybrid model, but we’re told an all-electric version will be available in due course.
• e-Rifter – a small (ish) car with 7 seats that offers plenty of space for the money. Yes, it’s not sexy, but if ultimate space is what you’re after (and you’ll mostly just be popping about town), this could be a seriously practical option for you.
• e-Traveller – like the Rifter but much, much bigger. Based on the standard Peugeot Traveller van, the e-Traveller is its electric powered version. If your family are growing by the minute and you like a tall driving position, you might find this MPV particularly useful indeed.

Why driving an EV is great

There are plenty of reasons why driving an electric car is great, and benefits not only you as the driver but also the environment.

While Peugeot produces great petrol, diesel and hybrid cars, the benefits of an electric Peugeot mean they’re the perfect choice for drivers looking to make the switch:

• There are far fewer moving parts in an EV, which means maintaining them is cheaper and there’s less that can potentially go wrong
• Charging an EV is quick and simple – by using a rapid charge point, you can charge your EV’s battery to 80% in as little as 25 minutes
• EVs are far kinder to the environment, and by using green energy to charge the battery they can be completely carbon neutral after manufacture
• Compared to petrol and diesel, the cost of charging an EV is considerably cheaper than a tank of fuel

Why Peugeot produces excellent EVs

With electric power a huge part of Peugeot’s future, they’re taking their EV production very seriously, putting heaps of time and money into making them some of the best on the road.

Here are four reasons why you should consider driving a Peugeot EV:

1. They’re designed brilliantly

Inside and out, Peugeots are great to look and be inside. Striking exteriors mean they stand out from rivals on the road, and premium interiors mean they genuinely special to be inside, despite not costing the earth.

2. They’re still practical

They might be premium inside and out, but that doesn’t mean they’ve forgotten the bits that matter to growing families. Easy to access ISOFIX points and plentiful boot space mean their small EVs are not just handsome, they’re practical too.

3. They charge really quickly

Compared to some rivals, Peugeot electric cars charge quickly. The e-2008 for example has a max charging speed of 101kW, meaning you can add 115 miles of range (10-80%) in just 26 minutes.

4. They have excellent technology

EVs are getting famous for coming equipped with loads of advanced technology, including clever driving systems. Peugeot have taken this philosophy and ran with it, making sure their EVs are filled with awesome tech, like the 3D i-Cockpit display and adaptive cruise control with lane positioning assist.

5. They’re award winning

In 2021, both the e-208 and e-2008 won awards at the Carwow Car of the Year awards for ‘Best Small Electric Car’ and ‘Best Small SUV’, with Peugeot as a brand claiming the ‘Manufacturer Award’. They’re obviously doing something right!

Peugeot EVs on Subscription

Buying a Peugeot EV may require a large deposit or long contract, if you’re planning to lease your electric car. which can prevent eager drivers from taking home a Peugeot of their own.

However, an alternative to buying is a Peugeot subscription through elmo.

An elmo electric car subscription includes comprehensive insurance, servicing and maintenance, fair wear and tear for tyres and even breakdown cover, meaning accessing a Peugeot EV of your own is easier and more affordable than ever.

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