Video: Peugeot celebrating ‘new status’ as EVs launch

Peugeot’s local distributor Auto Distributors says it now has a ‘new status’ within the brand’s structure with the announcement of emissions standards and rebates for New Zealand.

That was confirmed at a local deep-dive for the launch of the first full battery-electric vehicles here for the French brand, the e2008 and e2008.

Chief executive Chris Brown says Peugeot-parent company Stellantis wants to avoid paying any penalties in countries with emissions standards, so having such a scheme ramps New Zealand up the supply queue.

“Our status changed with the factory when the Clean Car Standard came through,” Brown says. “Stellantis say they do not want to pay any penalties.”

Brown noted the controversy around the measures, but believes the impetus for change is there.

“‘Government is just an outcome of the peoples will. This change is the result of a government we voted in.  People are ready to change, they want to take the next step themselves.”

That means better volume for what they call low emissions vehicles, so battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

The hope is that with sufficient supply, and they expect the cars to make up around 55% of volume by 2026, they can maintain a position  of having the lowest emissions of any brand in the market.

“With our volume and business, we want our CO2 emissions to go low, under 99 grams per unit by 2022,” commercial manager Arek Zywot says.

Maintain? The target is not to hit 99 grams by 2026, but by 2022, taking the brand from number four lowest emissions last year to the number one position.

“All of this is possible as long as supply meets demand,” Brown says.

A range of electrified hardware is on the way to help the brand. It already has a PHEV 3008 SUV, with PHEV versions of the 308 and 508 under consideration. Fully-electric verisions of the Expert and Partner van are expected to arrive next year with 75kWh and 50kWh batteries respectively.

Stellantis itself has dedicated electric platforms under development with 500 to 800km range potential, and five electrified vehicle ‘Giga’ factories under development. All model lines will have an electrified option by 2025.

e208 and e2008 arrive

The first full EVs for the brand here are the e208 and e2008 siblings, a small hatchback and SUV respectively.

Both share the same drivetrain, a 50kW battery with 11kW AC and 100kW DC capability. Both have power outputs of 100kW and range starting from 320km.

The e208 is priced at $59,990, while the e2008 is $69,990, and both are eligible for the full Clean Car Discount rebate.

In partnership with Heartland, the brand has launched an iOWN finance scheme, payments starting at $165 with no deposit for the e208 and $199 for the e2008.

We enjoyed a short drive of both vehicles in central Auckland, and while it was too brief to learn much, both cars impressed.

The focus of power delivery appeared to be more on mid-range torque than outright speed and zippiness. Overall steering and drive felt sporty and engaging, and the suspension is well tuned to cover the weight of the battery.

Expect full reviews of the vehicles on EVsandBeyond.co.nz in coming weeks.