2023 Peugeot e-Partner Long review

Peugeot’s electrification drive continues with its commercial division now offering battery powered vans here.

First up is the e-Partner, the company’s compact carryall, which will be joined imminently by the larger e-Expert.

These zero-emissions logistics solutions cost more than those conventionally powered models of course; in the case of the Partner, it starts at $47,990 for the petrol while this electric version is $74,990 before on roads, though the $8625 rebate claws some of the premium back.

There are two versions; standard and long but this doesn’t refer to range, rather overall size. We tried the long version ($77,990) which is longer in the wheelbase and the rear overhang for more cargo carrying capacity.

Some stats then. It has the same 100kW/260Nm motor as the 208 and 2008 e-models, so is front-wheel drive with the same 50kWh battery pack. The range is stated at 245km, though yours will vary according to driving style and load. On that point, payload is rated at 751kg for the Long which is the same as its max tow rating.

So that’s $1899 you can save by not opting for the tow bar (hardly worth it) but you will have to plump for some interior protection; the slippery tin floor in the cargo area won’t last long otherwise. There is a wooden overlay offered for $1269 or $1169 for a rubber one.

Or you could opt for a few workshop mats and a Stanley knife from Bunnings and fashion yourself one. A set of roof bars is $879.

One accessory worth considering is the $2150 wall box to take advantage of faster recharge times.

That’ll take full advantage of the 7.4kW onboard charger, facilitating a seven-hour recharge from flat. The supplied emergency charger will fill it from half to full overnight (12hrs).

Your range will vary, it was showing 280km to empty when we got behind the wheel, while consumption was tracking in the 19kWh/100km area.

There’s a five-year, 100,000km warranty, which you can extend to 150,000km for an extra $1300 or to 200,000km for $2500.

Optional service plans are $1k covering 3yrs/60,000km and $1700 for 5 yrs/100,000km. Also factor in your signwriting to highlight the fact your deliveries are emissions free.

Workplace safety is covered off with a range of features; AEB, collision and lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and traffic sign recognition although the latter can’t read LED readouts on the motorway. There are apparently six air bags in the cabin, where it’s part- van, part-car.

There’s a good range of adjustability at the driver’s seat and the wheel, which is of the squished donut variety and set low beneath the dials. The infotainment is a basic set-up so you’ll need to connect your phone to access sat nav via the lone USB port.

While the cup holders are all but useless, there’s a couple of storage receptacles on the dash, pockets above the sun visors along with a secret hiding space below the middle seat. You can also fold said middle seat flat where there’s a surface to help sort paperwork.

On the go this rides well, the torsion bar rear end suspended by a serious looking damper and spring configuration. It cruises over speed bumps nicely, and so the load in the back doesn’t jump and thrash about.

There’s enough torque for the task, though it’s not going to be hauling anything serious, while the drive mode button accesses a Power mode, for more immediate delivery. The turning circle isn’t all that friendly at 11.4m, and thick A-pillars can obstruct your view at intersections.

With the bulkhead, there’s no rearward view, so you’re reliant on the reverse camera (a tad blurry) and the side mirrors (which could definitely be bigger).

You access the cargo area via sliders on each side for those smaller items (the openings aren’t that big) and we like that all five door handles have a lock/unlock function for the smart key. There is also a useful load area light.

There are barn doors on the rear, both easily opened, while the hinge can be quickly unlatched, allowing them to open out wide for forklift loading; apparently this can take two Euro pallets in the rear.

The load length, when measured at the floor is 2.1m. However, the bulkhead tilts backwards as it curves around behind the seats, which reduces the effective load length to 1.9m. It’s 1220mm wide at the narrowest point while the floor height is 600mm.

There is a 300x600mm opening in the bulkhead on the lower left hand side, allowing you to tote longer, narrower items. Open the hatch, fold flat the passenger seat and there’s an extra 1m of length on offer.

While pricey, there are few options available at present in the zero-emissions delivery space, giving Peugeot a head start on the rest.

Operators would also be wise to look at the leasing options available, and to think of the overall cost of ownership when making the final decision.