ELECTRIFYING FRENCH PERFORMANCE

INTRODUCING THE PEUGEOT E-2008 Following the wide scale release of the Peugeot e-208 in Europe earlier this year, it’s higher riding and roomier compact electric SUV sibling, the all-new Peugeot e-2008, has now followed suit. We took this new and beautifu

and very spacious compartment beneath the boot floor panel, the e-2008 ticks all the boxes for space and comfort.

SEMI-AUTONOMOUS GLIDING

Driving the e-2008 is no different from driving a petrol or diesel car, but the driving enjoyment and the ride feel is so completely different that it takes you by surprise every time you get behind the wheel. Most noticeable is a complete lack of vibration, complemented by what feels like a cocooned ride as you glide, silently past a noisy outside world. And then there is the acceleration. Instant, continuous torque of 260 Nm from the 100 kW electric motor, sans the labouring sound of an internal combustion engine, constantly changing tone according to gear changes, makes for fantastic acceleration, immediately differentiating this electric compact SUV from any other petrol or diesel vehicle in its class. From city streets to highways and byways, the pleasure of experiencing such smooth yet dynamic acceleration cannot be overstated.

Surprisingly for a car in the small car segment, the e-2008 is fitted with Peugeot’s Drive Assist Plus, which allows for semi-autonomous operation. The in-lane positioning system, combined with adaptive cruise control and Stop & Go makes it an absolute pleasure to get behind the wheel. Knowing that all the “nannies” are constantly monitoring the car in relation to both the road markings and traffic

ensures a relaxed driving experience on more than just the highway. The nannies include blind spot monitoring, distance alert, lane crossing alert, active safety braking, automatic high beam switching, and the recognition of road signs and speed recommendations, all of which combine to make this one of the safest cars in its segment.

RANGE ANXIETY? NOPE!

Charging electric cars has become such a thing among non-electric car owners that they have given it a name – range anxiety. In our experience, range anxiety is not a concern, at least not in Europe where there are numerous public charging options. And the best part of driving an electric car is that you can charge your car at home, waking up with a fully charged battery every morning.

The new Peugeot e-2008 is fitted with a 50 kWh battery that offers a range of 320 km (WLTPi), and the battery is guaranteed for eight years or 160,000 km for 70% of its charge capacity. Three driving modes make it possible to adapt the driving parameters, and range. “Eco” mode optimises battery life, while “Sport” mode gives priority to performance and sensations over range anxiety. “Normal” mode is the most suitable setting for daily use, and the one we used most often.

For the week that we had the e-2008, we used the car for various applications and in different conditions, from daily use, to a road trip of more than 1,000 km, in rain, sunshine and cold temperatures. In daily use, the stated range is more than enough, with only an overnight charge needed to top up the battery from a standard 240 V outlet found in

any home garage. Longer trips require some more planning, especially if you prefer 100 kW public chargers that can charge the battery to an 80% state of charge in as little as 15 minutes. For this purpose we planned our charging stops along the highway to coincide with the availability of Ionity’s 350 kW rapid chargers. These Ionity chargers are quick and very convenient, but they are also expensive and work out to about 30% more than the price of petrol or diesel. At times we had to settle for 50 kW rapid chargers from various other suppliers, including Total, but at a much more sensible price. The 50 KW chargers require at least 30 minutes to charge the battery to 80%, which is not an inconvenience if you plan your stops to coincide with a refreshment break every 300 km.

Learning the ins and outs of different electric charger operators, and downloading the different apps necessary for charging and billing, turned out to be more daunting than planning for the charging stops themselves! However, the slight range anxiety, or more correctly, “app anxiety”, we experienced on our road trip should be a thing of the past in the near future. At present there are thousands of new charging stations planned across the globe, and all over Europe there are new charging stations commissioned on a daily basis.

LAST WORD

While the compact SUV segment remains all the buzz, the Peugeot e-2008 is an excellent addition to the global fleet, especially when you consider the cost savings that go with electric vehicles. These include savings of more than 50% on maintenance costs, and up to 70% on fuel costs, which adds considerable savings on a five-year cost of ownership basis. Combined with various government incentives that encourage electrification in Europe, regardless of a higher sticker price, the e-2008 is actually competitively priced to make an impact similar to that of the Peugeot e-208 in Europe.

Whether we will see this silent, cost effective and very capable electric offering from Peugeot in South Africa any time soon is an open question. At present the importation of electric vehicles into South Africa is subject to higher ad valorem taxes, and the government offers no incentives for driving towards a sustainable future.

Still, we are very encouraged by Peugeot’s first full-electric offerings in both the e-208 and the e-2008, both of which should do very well in Europe. With Peugeot having announced its new Electric Vehicle Modular Platform (eVMP) recently, rolling out between 2020 and 2024, along with a promise of an increase in range of up to 600 km (WLTP), we look forward to Peugeot’s contribution to a sustainable future.