EV Central’s 2023 Peugeot e-Companion evaluate: The Peugeot e-Companion compact electrical van provides one other contender to the small however rising mild business EV phase.
It’s additionally the primary battery electrical mannequin from the French model in Australia, with three extra EVs due earlier than the top of 2024, together with the bigger e-Skilled medium van.
Peugeot is assured the zero emissions functionality of the e-Companion will attraction to each sole merchants and firm fleet operators.
However the value is excessive, the tools content material is decrease than the cheaper petrol Companion vary and cargo carrying additionally takes successful.
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Value and options
There’s a single Peugeot e-Companion mannequin on supply in Australia for $59,990 plus on-road prices. In lots of states, after all, it qualifies for EV rebates, whereas at a federal degree there shall be FBT and different tax reductions.
Nevertheless it’s nonetheless a giant ask contemplating the most costly 1.2-litre turbo-petrol Companion is the $40,878 (plus on-road prices) lengthy wheelbase Premium.
As well as, the e-Companion foregoes alloy wheels (though 16-inch steelies aren’t an actual drawback are they?), keyless entry, dual-zone local weather management, a center seat, rotating worktable, a load-through flap from the field and AM radio.
The e-Companion does get two gray material bucket seats, a multi-function leather-based steering wheel, air-conditioning (through a PTC water heater quite than a warmth pump), cruise management, satellite tv for pc navigation displayed on an eight-inch touchscreen, cabled (USB-C) Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth connectivity, a four-speaker audio system, voice recognition, an electrical parking brake, energy home windows and a full-size spare tyre.
Solely white exterior paint is normal. Three metallic selections (black and two greys) cost an additional $690).
The e-Companion comes protected by a five-year/200,000km guarantee and the battery pack is roofed for eight years/160,000km.
Service intervals are 25,000km/12 month and common out at $346 throughout the primary give visits to the workshop. You cab prepay for 3 years at $600 or 5 years for $1000. That’s all very inexpensive and displays the simplicity of EV powertrains.
Inside house
Let’s begin within the necessary a part of any van’s inside. The field on the again.
The e-Companion we get in Australia is the lengthy wheelbase mannequin – there’s a brief wheelbase supplied in Europe – so the utmost load size (2167mm). top (1243mm), most width (1527mm) width between the wheel arches (1229mm) and three.9m cubic load quantity are all of the all the identical because the orthodox Companion LWB.
Nonetheless, that van provides the load-through capability within the bulkhead to hold gadgets as much as 3440mm lengthy.
The e-Companion’s 753kg most payload is the second lowest of all the Companion line-up. Petrol fashions are rated as much as 1037kg. It doesn’t assist the e-Companion is nearly 250kg heavier than another mannequin.
The towing capability is 750kg, the bottom of any Companion.
The e-Companion comes with two sliding aspect doorways and two 180-degree rear doorways making entry simpler. Home windows for all doorways are elective and are quoted at round $450-$470 on the Peugeot web site. Alternatively, an inside LED mild equipment can also be on supply, which might be useful as its fairly dingy within the again.
There are six load hooks within the rear, down on the ten supplied in the usual Companion.
Up-front the e-Companion’s useability is aided by a number of storage areas, together with substantial overhead bins and an higher dashboard tray.
There may be top and attain adjustment of the steering column, a left footrest and top and somewhat backrest adjustment of the seat. All that helps the driving force get comfy – one thing essential in an city supply car like this.
The e-Companion additionally comes with Peugeot’s distinctive i-cockpit, which suggests a high-mounted instrument cluster and a small squared off steering wheel so you may look over it.
This idea works significantly better now than it did in its earlier iterations when the wheel needed to be dumped into your lap should you needed an uninterrupted view of the gauges.
Efficiency and Effectivity
The 2023 Peugeot e-Companion drives its entrance wheels through a 100kW/260Nm everlasting magnet synchronous e-motor and single velocity gearbox.
The claimed most velocity is 135km/h and the 0-100km/h could be achieved in 11.2 seconds.
The e-motor is fed by a 50kWh lithium-ion battery pack for a claimed WLTP vary of 258km.
The efficiency and effectivity of the e-Companion could be various relying on which drive mode is chosen through the tab on the centre console.
Eco delivers 60kW/190Nm, Regular 80kW/210Nm whereas full fats and flavour is offered by Energy mode.
Charging
An influence consumption common of 21.8kWh/100km for the e-Companion is the official declare together with a spread out of the 50kWh lithium-ion battery pack of 258km WLTP.
The DC quick cost fee for the e-Companion is 101kW, which isn’t that quick. However then the battery shouldn’t be that massive, so a 0-80 per cent cost could be accomplished in as little as half-hour.
The e-Companion’s onboard charger permits an AC charging fee as much as 7.4kW, which interprets to a 0-100 per cent recharge utilizing the suitable wallbox in about 7.5 hours. In order that’s simply achievable in a single day between days on the job.
A full 230V trickle cost will take about 24 hours.
The e-Companion is delivered with a Mode 3 cable and has a Combo2/CCS plug mounted on the left-rear quarter panel above the wheel arch.
There’s a B (for brake) mode on the transmission lever that maximises the extent of power regeneration. It’s actually noticeable and brings the automotive nearly to a cease.
Experience and dealing with
Because the Peugeot e-Companion is a specialised car, the launch drive was fairly specialised too.
Supposed to replicate the e-Companion’s working life, it coated a 37km loop via Sydney’s interior south and west. It included loads of stop-start driving and a little bit of unfettered operating as much as 80km/h.
After experimenting with Regular and essentially the most satisfying Energy modes, the huge bulk of the journey was accomplished in Eco with B engaged as nicely.
The rationale was that vary was all necessary. The excellent news was eco nonetheless offered sufficient urge to out-accelerate different visitors off the lights not to mention sustain so long as you hammered the throttle to the ground.
Loads of friction and whirring was obvious because of this demand, however its liveliness from launch, the shortage of inside combustion noise and clunky gearchanging nonetheless made this a extra easy and calming drive.
With a 200kg load strapped in, the e-Companion accomplished the drive averaging 16.5kWh/100km. That’s fairly respectable, though it can certainly go up with load weight and if it’s pushed with much less regard to energy conservation.
However should you’re going to get 200-300km constantly out of the e-Companion earlier than draining the battery then it may work for clear, inexperienced inner-city supply work. You’ve simply received to consider added charging time in comparison with a refuel.
The e-Companion accomplished the drive with out an excessive amount of fuss. It’s an incredible platform to see out of trying ahead, whereas it’s a bloody chore attempting to see out the again.
With its 4753mm size, 1880mm top, 2107mm width (with mirrors prolonged) and 11.4m turning circle its clearly not small. Nevertheless it’s nonetheless manoeuvrable sufficient to get round in comparatively tight areas.
Blind spot monitoring or a digital reversing digicam could be useful.
Using on a modified model of Peugeot’s EMP2 platform to suit its electrical powertrain, the e-Companion additionally has its personal tune of the electric-assist energy steering and the MacPherson strut front- and torsion beam rear-suspension.
Inevitably, contemplating its load carrying necessities, trip high quality was harsh with some massive thumps from the rear, particularly at low speeds.
Speaking level
It was a visit again in time with the e-Companion as a result of it required a key to be inserted into the ignition within the steering column to be began. No push button begins right here!
Security
The Peugeot e-Companion doesn’t have an ANCAP security ranking. The Companion does get 4 stars (out of a attainable 5) towards outdated 2018 protocols, however that particularly excludes the EV.
Not excellent news if an ANCAP ranking is required or really useful for a fleet buy.
Security tools fitted to the e-Companion contains entrance, aspect and curtain airbags, autonomous emergency braking, lane hold help and lane departure warning, a reversing digicam, rear parking sensors, driver consideration monitoring, visitors signal recognition and tyre under-inflation detection. Headlights are halogen quite than extra highly effective LED.
There may be additionally an acoustic alert system under 30km/h that warns pedestrians of the e-Companion’s strategy.
Verdict
Rating: 7.0/10
Peugeot is asking lots of people with its pricing of the e-Companion, even when there are some rebates to be reclaimed, servicing prices are low and electrical energy prices are decrease than fossil fuels.
If it was an emotional resolution pushed by environmental elements alone, it might be a better car to log out.
It is usually Peugeot’s first EV in Australia, in order that’s nice. And there’s little doubt it’s a quieter and extra nice drive than its ICE compatriots.
However as most consumers shall be primarily contemplating the cost-benefit evaluation then this costly car with its mediocre tools record, diminished payload and vary and lack of an ANCAP ranking is a really arduous promote.
There are extra electrical vans on the best way to Australia, so the e-Companion will face extra competitors. Hopefully, that may immediate a future value discount.
Peugeot e-Companion
Value: $59,990 plus on-road prices
Fundamentals: EV, 2 seats, 6 doorways, compact supply van, FWD
Vary: 258km (WLTP)
Battery capability: 50kWh
Battery guarantee: 8 years/160,000km
Vitality consumption: 21.8kWh/100km (WLTP)
Motors: One on entrance axle, most output 100kW/260Nm
AC charging: 7.4kW, Sort 2 plug
DC charging: 101kW, CCS Combo plug
0-100km/h: 11.2 seconds (claimed)