Peugeot’s plug-in Partner ready

IN CONJUNCTION with announcing the price of its new e-Partner fully electric van this week, the French brand’s Australian distributor has commenced a pre-order system, aka ‘expressions of interest’, for the light commercial van due here from the middle of this year.

The new Peugeot ePartner BEV will hit the light van market priced from $59,990 plus on-road costs, closely rivalling Renault’s Kangoo electric Maxi ZE LWB priced from $50,398 +ORCs.

Peugeot’s generation three Partner petrol van range starts at $35,606 +ORCs for the 1.2 Pro Short model.

The main protagonist in the segment, VW, doesn’t have an electric model in its local line-up at the moment and Ford is yet to launch its eTransit.

Few other electric vans are available in Australia in any segment apart from the Mercedes eVito medium van from $89,353 and the LDV Deliver 9 large van from $116,537, both +ORCs.

Prospective buyers of the ePartner are being directed to pre-order through the authorised Peugeot dealer network or order online.

The ePartner will be Peugeot’s first fully electric vehicle on the local market and precedes a number of BEVs from the manufacturer scheduled for this and next year.

Peugeot Australia will offer the e-Partner in one spec’ only in long wheelbase configuration that will be powered by a 50kWh lithium-ion battery with a claimed WLTP range of 245km.

The van is built on Peugeot’s EMP-2 modular multi-energy-platform designed to deliver smooth performance and secure handling and will feature a 100 per cent electric engine with a maximum power output of 100kW and maximum torque of 260Nm.

Of critical importance to commercial users, the ePartner’s indicative charging times for the 50kWh battery are approximately 7.5 hours from 0-100 per cent capacity via a three phase 16A wallbox (11kW) and approximately 30 minutes rapid charge from 0-80 per cent capacity via a DC current (100kW) appliance.

Peugeot says the e-Partner van can accelerate from standstill to 100km/h in 11.7 seconds on its way to an electronically limited top speed of 130km/h. The electric motor fitted to the model drives the front wheels via a single-speed transmission.

Peugeot says the e-Partner is “not only efficient but practical” with a loading volume of 3.9 cubic metres. The body is 4750mm long and features dual rear barn doors, while the entire vehicle is designed to provide a workspace ‘ready for the day ahead’.

Particular attention has been paid to the work-a-day cabin which Peugeot designed with function front of mind. Like petrol powered Partner, the BEV’s two seat passenger space features a durable Curitiba grey cloth trim and numerous storage options.

The e-Partner boasts convenience and safety technologies including Peugeot’s signature i-Cockpit.

Convenience and safety technologies include Bluetooth phone connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, autonomous emergency braking, electronic stability program, lane keep assist, speed sign recognition, a reversing camera and rear parking sensors.

Peugeot will back the fully electric ePartner with a five-year/200,000km warranty, a three-year paintwork and 12-year corrosion warranty, as well as an eight-year/160,000km battery warranty.

It will be available in four colours: Ice white (standard), Nera black metallic, Artense grey metallic and Platinum grey metallic (optional at $690).

“The third generation Partner arrived in Australia in 2018 and since then has proven to meet a variety of needs for local small and medium sized businesses,” said Peugeot Australia managing director Kate Gillis.

"We believe the benefits of the fully electric e-Partner will resonate with Australian consumers seeking a highly capable and efficient workhorse."

Full Australian specifications will be released at the on-sale date.