Peugeot E-208 Review

Range

The distance you’ll be able to go between charges in the Peugeot E-208 depends largely on the driver’s mood. The car has three drive settings which allow you to turn the 208 into a hot hatchback-like car with fun performance but probably only 150 miles between charges, or a super eco car that will feel a bit sluggish but might be able to go 280 miles without needing to be plugged in. 

There’s a ‘Normal’ mode which is the ‘Goldilocks’ Porridge’ setting and is just right for everyday use, giving around 210 miles between charges depending on where and how you drive. Bear in mind that the weather will have an effect too, as heating the car in winter saps power from the battery. Mind you, the Peugeot E-208 was given a standard heat pump – which is a neat bit of kit that improves cold weather efficiency and driving range – when it had a bit of an update in 2022. If you’re looking to buy a used E-208 and are considering the 50kWh model that preceded this 2024 facelifted E-208, you’d be well advised to look out for one that was built after September 2022 and comes with a standard heat pump.

Battery

The Peugeot E-208 has a 51kWh battery capacity – or 48kWh of usable capacity - which is pretty big for this size of car but short of class-leading (the Renault Zoe for example has a 52kWh battery, but a Volkswagen e-UP! is 32.3kWh). It’s very cleverly packaged too, with the cells being split into two sections which sit under the front and rear seats to keep them out of the way and ensure the space for passengers and luggage isn’t affected by the electric powertrain. It also means you don’t sit abnormally high in the E-208 compared to other electric cars, which can feel quite tall in comparison to a conventional hatchback.

Charging 

The E-208 charges in the same way as most other electric cars, using either a home charger or a rapid point using the most common CCS type plug. From a normal 7kW charger that you’ll probably want to have easy access to at home or at the office, the E-208 will take around eight hours for a full charge from nearly empty. Or, if you’re topping up while in the middle of long journey, or perhaps using a rapid charger just once a week, the E-208 can also charge at 100kW for a 20-80% top-up in around 30 minutes.