Coupling up with Peugeot e-Partner

17.9kwh/100km on the test van suggests it will be cheap to run, with the caveat that the van would have been unladen for most of that running.

Importantly, you shouldn’t have to wait forever to recharge the e-Partner as it can accept fast charging at speeds of up to 100kw. That should replenish the battery to 80% charge from zero in around 30 minutes. Overnight charging from a 7.4kw wall-box will take around 7.5 hours to reach 100%, or 5 hours with a three phase 11kw wall-box.

w hat’S I t l I k E to D r IVE?

Very like its diesel counterpart, if quieter, is the straightforward answer here. Anyone coming from the diesel model, particularly one with the automatic gearbox, will find it very familiar. The gear selector lever is the same as that found on the auto versions, with the addition of a B button which provides extra regeneration when lifting off, but won’t bring the van to a complete halt. There’s a choice of three driving modes including an Eco setting which limits the power to 81.5bhp and cuts back on the air-conditioning.

The display in front of the driver has an energy consumption gauge instead of a rev counter, while a second gauge displays how much energy is being used by ancillary equipment such as heating. Rather discouragingly, even turning the heater on to level 1 out of 5, and with the aircon off, this shot the dial up to three quarters of maximum usage efficiency. Heated seats and steering wheel would be a useful addition here.

Other observations about the van not specific to the electric version are that the third seat in the middle is really only practical for occasional use by a smaller person, though the seat back folds down to give a useful work surface. The steering only adjusts for tilt, not reach, meaning I was unable to achieve an optimum driving position for me. The external mirrors also could benefit from having blind spot sections as found on other vans. Though I did like the pleasingly solid and most un-van like clunk when closing the doors!

Cost wise the e-Partner in L2

Professional Plus trim has an RRSP of €38,425 including SEAI grant. A diesel equivalent costs €29,295. That remains a significant margin, and probably means it remains an unrealistic option for many for now, even with significantly reduced running costs. However for any LCV operator committed to going green, the e-Partner will meet expected requirements with minimal compromise.