With the Peugeot e-Expert, the third PSA Group partner announces its electrified panel van. (Photo: © Peugeot)
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1 October 2020
The Peugeot e-Expert is now also electric. The electric panel van has a range of 330 kilometers, a cargo volume of up to 6,6 cubic meters, and a payload of 1,2 tons. This makes the French model the next in the identically constructed electric quartet.
The range of battery-powered electric vehicles is growing, not only in the passenger car sector but especially in the light commercial vehicle segment . This makes electric vans increasingly attractive to tradespeople . Almost every major manufacturer now offers an electrified panel van . Now, a new quartet of identical electric vehicles is emerging : Following the Opel Vivaro-e and the Citroën ë-Jumpy, Peugeot has also announced its electric variant. The e-Expert , like its platform-sharing siblings, is slated to debut in the second half of 2020.
The only one missing is the fourth model in the lineup. Cooperation partner Toyota has also announced its Proace Electric. Exactly when the virtually identical van will arrive in Germany remains unclear. It was initially targeted for autumn, but the current coronavirus crisis has disrupted all manufacturers' plans. The price of the electrified van quartet is also still unknown. We'll just have to wait until the order books finally open.
Electric vans don't necessarily need enormous ranges. A small battery is perfectly adequate for tradespeople who only cover a few kilometers a day. Others, however, require a significantly greater range. Therefore, Peugeot offers the e-Expert with two different battery sizes . For short trips in city traffic, the 50 kWh battery is perfectly sufficient for most users. With this battery, the e-Expert achieves a range of up to 230 kilometers according to the WLTP standard . The larger battery pack, on the other hand, has a capacity of 75 kWh and is designed to propel the French electric van up to 330 kilometers.
Charging the Peugeot e-Expert is quite quick. When the battery capacity is running low, the smaller battery can be charged to 80 percent in 30 minutes at a fast-charging station . The larger 75 kWh battery requires the same procedure in 45 minutes. Using a wallbox, the empty battery can be fully charged overnight in less than 8 hours under normal business conditions . In terms of charging times, the Peugeot is on par with its PSA Group siblings, the Opel Vivaro-e and the Citroën ë-Jumpy.
Mobility - Passenger cars
Mobility - Electric drives
Mobility - Commercial vehicles
Just like its technically identical electric counterparts, the e-Expert can also be charged using a standard 230-volt household outlet . However, this workaround takes an incredibly long time , which is unlikely to be available to most tradespeople. The 50 kWh storage cells take a full 31 hours to recharge, while the larger batteries require an even longer 47 hours . The battery charge level can be checked remotely at any time via a smartphone app . This app also allows users to determine the current range and program the desired interior temperature before starting work.
Under the hood of the e-Expert is an electric motor with an output of 100 kW (136 hp) . The electric motor delivers 260 Newton meters of torque, available from the first revolution. The French vehicle can reach speeds of up to 130 km/h. In addition to regular energy recuperation, the driver can also manually select the desired range using three different modes (Eco, Normal, and Power). The warranty on the electric drive unit and battery is eight years or 160.000 kilometers.
Since the batteries in the Peugeot are housed in the vehicle floor, the cargo volume is not affected compared to the combustion engine versions . Therefore, the panel van, like its conventional counterparts, is available in three lengths (L1, L2, and L3) from 4,60 meters to 5,30 meters. The cargo volume ranges from 4,6 to 6,6 cubic meters, and the payload is up to 1.275 kilograms. Drivers towing trailers should also be satisfied with a towing capacity of up to one ton.
Furthermore, no compromises need to be made in terms of safety. The e-Expert offers the same driver assistance systems as its conventional counterparts. These include forward collision warning with city emergency braking , lane keeping assist , and driver drowsiness detection . In addition, high beam assist , traffic sign recognition , a 180-degree reversing camera , and a head-up display for the driver are also available.
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