PSA: City vans are also going electric

After the introduction of the electrically driven generation of 3.0-ton compact vans, Groupe PSA has now also announced the battery-electric versions of the City Van in the so-called B-segment. These will be launched next year under the four brands Peugeot, Citroen, Opel, and Vauxhall, both as commercial vans and as passenger transport vehicles. The 2.2-ton City Van, which is named Peugeot Partner/Rifter, Citroen Berlingo, and Opel Combo, receives the identical electric drivetrain from the corporate modular system based on the eCMP platform. It thus features a water-cooled 50-kWh lithium-ion battery, which is combined with a 100-kW electric motor.

This is manufactured at PSA's French plant in Trémery, with the drivetrain unit produced in Valenciennes, and the complete vehicle made at the City Van plant in the Basque region of Vigo. The batteries will be charged via a standard 7.4 kW AC charger or an optional 11 kW charger. The DC option from the larger transporters apparently will not be offered for the City Vans. Up until now, there has been a fully electric version of the commercial variant of the City Van, but it never really achieved high sales volumes. This is expected to change with the new edition.

The entire LCV portfolio is to be available as BEV by 2021

According to the manufacturer, the platform, which was completely newly introduced in 2018 and offered in two lengths, has sold well so far, with 650,000 units sold worldwide. In 2019, the vehicle also received the prestigious "International Van of the Year" title, for which LOGISTRA serves as the German jury member. With the 2.2-tonner, the compact transporter, and the large 3.5-tonner also scheduled for 2021, which will be electrified with the support of a conversion specialist from Turkey, the group aims to offer a complete EV portfolio of commercial vehicles next year.

"Groupe PSA is continuing its electric offensive with the all-electric versions of the compact vans and passenger car models. This will mean our entire portfolio of light commercial vehicles will be electrified - and without any compromises in terms of performance," promises Xavier Peugeot, Senior Vice-President LCV.