Contents Show
Peugeot and Citroën are serious about electrifying their commercial vehicles. From the end of the year, the Peugeot e-Partner and its Citroën counterpart e-Berlingo will complete the already well-known larger vans. Both also provide the basis for the German sister model Opel Combo-e.
The French seize the opportunity and rush forward courageously. Peugeot and Citroën recognized more quickly than others how important small, electrically powered commercial vehicles will be in the future for supplying trade and commerce in our cities. At the end of the year, the Peugeot e-Partner and its sister model Citroën e-Berlingo will appear, both with a 50 kWh battery and an at least locally emission-free range of around 280 kilometers. So far, only Renault has ventured into this field with the Kangoo ZE, but currently with a rather modest range.
While Opel can hold up the German flag at the charging station with the Combo-e thanks to the family membership, Mercedes, VW and Ford are currently still holding back. For example, it will be months before the electric Mercedes Citan is available.
e-twins
The cars with a competitive advantage wait in a parking lot not far from Paris, lined up according to their brand, for the non-company test drivers. It doesn't really matter who is behind whose steering wheel the first date takes its course. Peugeot e-Partner and Citroën e-Berlingo are twins, so almost identical. Under the hood anyway, since both use the company's electrical kit. 50 kWh battery and an electric motor with 100 kW / 136 PS. There are slight differences in the design of the headlights, but these are not really noticeable.
The only distinction that remains is the respective logo, i.e. double angles or Peugeot lion are the only real statements. Conscious leveling of the interior, too. Of course, the trademark ensures clarity again, this time on the steering wheel pot. Otherwise, however, there is no need to puzzle over the meaning of switches and buttons. Small difference: the Peugeot shines with the well-known digital i-cockpit. The Citroën has an exclusive head-up display for this.
With a commercial vehicle like the Parisian duo, matching many details is less dangerous than with a car. Because brand loyalty and emotions do not play a major role in the business world. Die-hard Citroën customers, also in Germany, will continue to visit their trusted dealer when it comes to a sober product like a van. Only if there should be a dispute with the dealer about whatever, the angry buyer just goes two streets to the Peugeot base. The car is the same and costs the same. Business and competition can be that simple.
Now also on the move electrically
Perhaps that will change when it comes to the civil versions of the brothers who compete in the car or station wagon class. Like the spacious Citroën e-Berlingo with lots of glass and a nice interior, which has long been a fixture as a practical family car and is also available as a seven-seater. But so far it has not been electric. The same applies to the answer from Peugeot, which, as a Stromer, will again bear the name Rifter.
But first of all it is about the commercial vehicles that supply us with fruit and vegetables, magazines, books or online orders even in the narrow urban jungle. The small trucks are also popular with service technicians who have all the tools and spare parts on board to get our dishwasher or OLED TV running again. All of these people who move a van like this for work will certainly be delighted with the new drive system and its technology. Since they usually move in a limited area anyway, charging in the depot overnight is certainly not a problem.
With 81 hp for more range
A small knobbly selector lever in the center console replaces the classic gear selector of an earlier automatic transmission. The type of locomotion can be determined by pressing the button next to it. In eco mode for the best range, the power is limited to 60 kW / 81 hp, the torque drops to 190 Nm. If you select the “Normal” setting, it is 80 kW / 109 PS and 210 Newton meters. "Power" then delivers the full range of 100 kW / 136 PS and 260 Nm. Also helpful when heavy loads need to be moved quickly. At least two Euro pallets fit in the landing area. Both French offer this finger play between the seats. Most of the well-known assistance systems, often bundled in packages, can also be ordered for the duo. As is usual in commercial vehicles, these subtleties are not standard.
Clean interior
As the batteries are hidden in the underbody, the driving experience and cornering stability benefit from the low center of gravity. The ease of being a transporter is complemented by the maneuverability and the reasonable turning circle of 11,43 meters. The driver's seat looks tidy, and in addition to the digital instrument design, depending on the version, the main eye-catcher is the large central screen. During coffee breaks, the driver can also access private information thanks to the connection to Apple or Android. Modernity in everyday work.
It won't be long before the electric advance of the Stellantis family, which still takes getting used to, calls the competition onto the scene. In-house, this applies to an overdue electric version of the Fiat Doblo. The Chinese also have Europe in their sights, examples are the Maxus from the giant corporation SAIC or models from Dongfeng.
Technical data
Five-door panel van with two seats, length: 4,40 m (4,75 meters in the long version), width 1,92 meters (with exterior mirrors 2,11 meters), height: 1,83 meters, wheelbase: 2,79 meters, loading volume : 3,8 - 4.4 m3, payload: 800 kg
Electric motor with 100 kW / 136 PS, torque: 260 Nm. Front-wheel drive, 1-speed automatic, lithium-ion battery with 50 kWh, range according to WLTP: 275 km, charging time: 15 hours from a 3,7 kW socket. 7 hours on an 11 kW wallbox, 30 minutes to 80% on a 100 kW fast charger. 0-100 km / h: 11.2 s, Vmax: 130 km / h, standard consumption according to WLTP: 20-22 kW / 100 km, CO2 emissions: 0 g / km, efficiency class A.
Price: from approx. 28.990 euros net / long version: 31.480 euros net (before deduction of funding of 9.000 euros net)
In brief
Why: good for the green conscience next to the diesel in the second row
Why not: expensive to buy
What else: Renault Kangoo ZE, the electric Stellantis relatives
When: End of the year