VM driving report Peugeot e-Boxer: Electric Lions Completed
Reduce to the Max - that is the motto of the newest electric addition to the Peugeot portfolio. The e-Boxer completes the lineup of E-vans and simultaneously rounds off the overall program, which now spans fully electric models from the e-208, through the e-Partner/Rifter and the e-Expert, up to the 3.5-tonner. It must be said, however: the middle segment is a bit thin. Here, Peugeot can only offer plug-in hybrids of the 308 and 508. One has to wait for a fully electric 408 until the new, purely electric platform is launched. At least, commercial vehicle customers will now find options in all classes, and even long-distance and heavy-duty drivers will soon benefit from the innovative fuel cell-battery hybrid e-Expert Hydrogen.
However, they will not find the familiar electric drive train, which runs like a common thread through the entire Stellantis model world based on the two platforms CMP (e-208, Corsa-e) and EMP2 (Citroen e-C4, e-Rifter, e-Vivaro, etc.). The drive system is too tailored to the platform for it to be adaptable to the large transporter, which has been fundamentally built on the same chassis since 2006. Therefore, a retrofit solution was needed, which was found with the Turkish-British e-retrofit specialist Bedeo Auto. And the first impression is quite positive.
Classic delivery services are satisfied with the small battery
The two lithium-ion battery packs with 37 and 70 kWh gross capacity easily fit into the spacious underfloor of the space-efficient front-wheel drive platform and are expected to offer a range of 116 to 247 kilometers in the more realistic WLTP cycle. This would correspond to a consumption of a hefty 36.2 kWh/100 km, which might be very conservatively estimated and achievable, at least according to our first impression. At least if the heating, which has to be activated oddly via an extra console on the left, is turned off, and one copes with the late autumn chill with a thicker jacket, the display counter shows hardly any significant drops. Even minor highway excursions at 110 km/h do not force the batteries to their knees.
The Range is Easily Achievable
We set off at 8 degrees Celsius outside temperature with 85 percent or 170 kilometers in the 70-kWh storage and ended up after 25 mixed city-country-highway kilometers with 75 percent or 148 kilometers in the batteries. Many courier service providers or craftsmen may find the "smaller" solution sufficient, with a realistic 116 kilometers being quite range-strong, available from a net price of 57,990 euros as the L1H1 or 59,990 euros as the classic L2H2 panel van with 11.5 cubic meters. The large battery pack is only available from the L4 version in the van, which starts at 67,380 euros. However, the combination of a small battery and large body (13-17 m³) is unfortunately not planned.
Moreover, charging could be done quickly with the standard AC Type 2 (single- and three-phase) if the station allows up to 22 kW and optionally in DC with 100 kW in CCS. Thus, a two-shift operation with the "small e-Boxer" is easily possible, as the storage can go from 0 to 80 percent in one hour - or at a public 22-kW station in three hours from 0 to 100 percent. Even the six hours at the 7.4-kW charger are impressive.
No Frills: One Mode, One Recuperation
Compromises have to be made if you value a gradable recuperation or different driving modes, which we consider negligible in a commercial vehicle. After all, the e-Boxer, with its proven Bedeo drive, finds a good balance between "coasting" and "using brake energy." At no point did we feel the need to manually adjust, although "one-pedal driving" has almost become endearing. Instead, the e-Boxer offers a crawl mode and rolls off like an automatic vehicle when the brake pedal is released. Okay, it could go a bit more smoothly and less "bouncy," but you get used to it quickly. Only when maneuvering precisely to the centimeter on ramps or in parking spaces could it become critical, and you should always keep your right foot close to the brake pedal.
Acceleration: Sufficient, but not Thrilling
In the other direction of the scale, the 3.5-ton vehicle, which weighs between 2.4 and 2.9 tons when empty depending on the version, and realizes a payload capacity of 615 to 1,090 kilos, accelerates quite decently, without showcasing the swift esprit of a VW e-Crafter. A glance at the technical data reveals in astonishment that the synchronous motor driving the front wheels is formally equivalent in maximum output at 100 kW. The continuous power lies at a more moderate 90 kW (122 PS), and they stick with 260 Nm (e-Crafter 290 Nm) torque. Tires will thank you in the long run with higher mileage. In any case, the electric motor remains mostly inaudible; the progress in the e-Boxer is as comfortable and convenient as in no other Boxer before, and we bet that this electric van will be the first choice for delivery drivers because it is so uncomplicated.
Simply Lovely: Get in and Go
In general, the e-Boxer stands for the discovery of simplicity. Fleet managers with rotating drivers will enjoy it, as the large electric van, available as a panel van in three lengths or as a chassis in two lengths with a crew cab, is self-explanatory like no other electric vehicle on the market. Similar to a bumper car, there are "Forward-Reverse-Done," selected via metal buttons on the central console. Those looking for a trip computer will find it in the rearview mirror display, presenting the essential electric info: charge level in percent, range in kilometers, battery voltage, charging voltage, and that's it. During charging, the range is replaced by the charging duration. On the central display itself, one looks in vain for average consumption figures, energy flow graphs, or such gadgets. Quite the contrary: the tachometer, fuel gauge, and engine temperature have been stripped of their needles—no longer needed.
DIY Heating: The Heating Must be Activated Separately
Unfortunately, the heat regulation via a rotary knob also had to go, which is why—see above—an extra console to the left of the driver, which is initially mistaken for an auxiliary heater, was installed. It only gets warm when the knob is turned to red. The air conditioning is also standard, as the equipment already includes everything essential, including DAB radio, double passenger seat, 22-kW charger, pedestrian warning, or parking assist. However, in this class, a definite downside is the lack of a trailer option. Optionally, there are a few driver assist systems such as emergency brake assist with lane-keeping assist or lane-keeping assist with traffic sign recognition, as well as a blind-spot warning system. From the factory and dealer, there are various industry models of the e-Boxer for CEP, cooling, or pharmaceuticals, which are sold in the account-based business.
Not bad, then, the first entry into the large class. Especially for a quickly and pragmatically realized "interim step," which the e-Boxer—like the simultaneously but with a Fiat-specific solution implemented E-Ducato—is supposed to represent. From 2024, a new dedicated large electric platform will be used to implement an in-house solution. But then, a completely new Boxer will come.
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