Four novelties at once: this is what the PSA group is preparing to launch in the second half of 2021. The Citroën ë-Berlingo, Peugeot e-Partner / e-Rifter and Opel Combo-e will indeed come to play in the yard of electric utilities and combispaces, just like their derivative Toyota Proace City.
[Mise à jour le 17/09/2021] Just as the three musketeers were four, the compact utilities of the PSA group form a quartet. In addition to the Citroën Berlingo, the Peugeot Partner, renamed Rifter for individuals, and the Opel Combo (badged Vauxhall across the Channel), there is indeed a fourth thief: Toyota’s ProAce City, the result of an agreement signed with Japanese.
TO READ.
- Citroën ë-Berlingo Van (2021). Electric utility prices
- Peugeot e-Partner Award (2021). Electric utility from € 30,600 excl.
Similar styles and characteristics
Cost reduction requires, all these vans share the same base, the same general silhouette, the same Spanish factory in Vigo and the same range of mechanics. Apart from the logo, they are distinguished above all by their facies, adapted to the style of the different brands, as well as by a cockpit conforming to the precepts of the “i-cockpit” in the case of Peugeot. It is therefore logical that they will also receive the same electric motor, by the fall of 2021, with characteristics that may seem familiar to some. We find in fact a power of 100 kW (136 hp) in Power mode, a torque of 260 Nm and a battery with a capacity of 50 kWh on these ë-Berlingo, e-Rifter / e-Partner, Opel Combo-e and Toyota ProAce City Electric.
Well-known motor and battery
Yes, those are roughly the numbers for the e-208, ë-C4 and other DS 3 Crossback e-Tense. But it’s also the same as on the big brothers ë-Jumpy, e-Expert / Traveler or Zafira-e, with the only difference that the latter can also receive a large accumulator of 75 kWh on certain versions. The PSA group therefore confirms its pragmatism here. Housed under the seats and the floor, the battery would have the merit of not encroaching on the useful volume, which can go up to 4.4 m3. Bridged at 130 km / h, these vans also retain a loading capacity of 800 kg and can tow up to 750 kg. Something to satisfy most professionals.
Charging up to 100 kW
Autonomy will inevitably cause more disappointments. Still pending approval, it is indeed announced at 275 km in the WLTP cycle. Thanks to a much lower weight, it thus far exceeds the 230 km announced by an e-Traveler on the WLTP cycle and will suffice for essentially urban use. However, sIf you are planning longer journeys, the Free2Move application gives access to more than 220,000 terminals in Europe, and rapid recharges of up to 100 kW will be accepted. A solution allowing to recover 80% of the battery in 30 minutes, in the best case. Thanks to an optional mode 3 cable, it will also be possible to carry out an accelerated charge on a 7.4 kW (7:30 a.m. from 0 to 100%) or 11 kW Wallbox. (5 hrs). On the other hand, with the standard mode 2 cable, you will have to be patient: even on a reinforced 16 A socket, expect a minimum of 15 hours to refuel.
Kangoo Electric as the main rival
The competition will come mainly from the future Kangoo Electric, produced in Maubeuge since February 2021. This French rival should claim almost identical power (135 hp), but have two different battery capacities: 33 kWh or 44 kWh with a range of action estimated close to 300 km for the larger of these two accumulators. The Renault “combispace” will then lend its base to the Mercedes-Benz EQT and Nissan NV250 to form a shock trio. But the PSA group will not be told. In addition to giving the choice between four different manufacturers, it will also offer a short (4.40 m) or long (4.75 m) body, both for professionals and for individuals.
