Peugeot e-208 Electric: 30 Minute DC Charging, 211 Mile WLTP Range

Early this morning, Peugeot announced the upcoming e-208 electric vehicle, with 30 minute DC charging and a WLTP-rated range of 211 miles (340 km). Order books will open in “late summer” 2019 for deliveries likely starting in early 2020. It’s a great looking car, and the 30 minute DC charging makes it practical for occasional longer trips in regions with good charging infrastructure.

What we don’t yet know are: the exact release dates; the availability by region; the planned production volume; and the pricing. These are important for buyers, but even more important for Peugeot, because we know that the floodgates for affordable all-electric EVs are about to open. The compact Peugeot will be vying for a bit of elbow room alongside the VW ID 3 (formerly Neo), the updated Hyundai Ioniq, and several others planning to launch around late 2019, early 2020.

The standout features of the e-208 are the liquid thermal management of the battery (which seems to come from Chinese firm CATL), the heat pump, the remote pre-conditioning (of battery as well as cabin), and the fast charging ability (more on this one below). The motor power of 100 kW and 260 Nm of torque allow a 0–62 mph time of 8.1 seconds — plenty fast enough for most folks to have some fun with. Peugeot will also offer a 8-year/100,000 mile battery warranty (retaining at least 70% capacity), which is sensible to reassure buyers, given their lack of track record in EVs.

The range, however, is about the minimum that will be interesting (depending on the pricing) for the new breed of affordable all-electric compacts. The 50 kWh battery gives a WLTP-rated range of 340 km (211 miles), but I’d like to see the more realistic range of an EPA rating (a tough ask because Peugeot doesn’t operate in the US).

For hatchback vehicles of this size and aerodynamic profile, the WLTP rating is usually 20% inflated over a realistically calibrated range rating like the EPA’s, so we should expect around 283 km (176 miles) under real-world mixed (“combined”) driving cycles. We’ll have to see what the all-important EPA highway rating works out to be, if the e-208 ever makes it over to the US. Highway range is crucial for the longer drives that European and US buyers expect a vehicle to do, at least on occasion. In this class of vehicle, highway range is usually 10–12% down on “combined” range.

What’s promising about the Peugeot is the (CCS) DC fast charging ability, with power of up to 100 kW. Peugeot are claiming a DC fast charge from 0% to 80% in 30 minutes on the optimal 100+ kW chargers. When charging from the more typical 10% state of charge, this means close to 26 minute pauses in a mid-trip scenario, if you’re in a region well endowed with such 100+ kW infrastructure. Northwestern Europe and Electrify America locations in the US are well served with these, and they are growing in density month by month.

Even the fairly modest ~176 mile overall combined range should allow a highway driving stint of close to 2 hours before a 26 minute break for another 90 minutes of driving. This is well suited to young families and no-rush occasional explorers. If the price is right*, this will be a popular model, no doubt, and overall a far better vehicle than any “equivalent” gasmobile. It’s also quite the looker:

We’re keen to get more details on the Peugeot e-208. From what we know so far, does this look like it could be an interesting EV for you? Please let us know in the comments.

*French media outlet L’argus estimates the price of the vehicle will be around €31,000 before incentives (and there’s a €6,000 potential rebate available in France).