Peugeot e-Expert review

It wears a lion badge but the latest Peugeot e-Expert is a shared beast beneath the skin. You see, it’s identical to several other electric vans, all sharing Stellantis’ mid-sized van platform.

So if you're considering getting an e-Expert, you're probably also looking over the Citroën ë-Dispatch, Fiat E-Scudo, Toyota Proace Electric and Vauxhall Vivaro Electric.

It's also worth knowing that a recent facelift has given the e-Expert a sharper front end and a long-overdue overhaul inside, with more up-to-date tech and smarter materials, although the changes aren’t as comprehensive as we might like.

Mechanically, though, it remains a known quantity. That means a front-mounted 134bhp electric motor, a 75kWh battery (with a usable capacity of 68kWh) and front-wheel drive, plus the same slightly compromised cab lay-out and familiar cargo capacities.

So what else does Peugeot’s flavour of Stellantis bring to the electric van table, and how does the Peugeot e-Expert stack up against increasingly advanced rivals including the Ford E-Transit Custom, Maxus eDeliver 7 and Volkswagen e-Transporter? Let's find out...

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Powering the Peugeot e-Expert is an electric motor that provides 134bhp and 192lb-ft of torque. Three selectable drive modes – Eco, Normal and Power – limit output depending on how frugal you’re feeling.

The default Normal mode caps power at 107bhp, while Eco restricts it even further to just 79bhp and dials back energy-consuming systems, such as air-conditioning. To access the full 134bhp, you’ll need to select Power mode, but expect your range to take a hit.

The e-Expert's regenerative braking can be adjusted using paddles behind the steering wheel, with three levels of regen available, but the effects are inconsistent. One moment you’ll lift off the throttle and the van will brake quite sharply. The next it will continue coasting along, which can be alarming.

Battery temperature, state of charge and other variables can affect how much charge can be recovered, but the software controlling the regen and physical brakes should be able to manage the result consistently.

The e-Expert is no sports van – even in Sports trim, as our latest test model is – with 0–62mph taking a leisurely 14.3 seconds. But that’s missing the point. Instant torque makes it surprisingly perky off the line, especially unladen, and more than capable of darting through traffic. It’s pretty zesty until about 40mph, and only when climbing hills or merging at speed does it feel breathless.

The 75kWh battery promises a WLTP range from 194 to 230 miles depending on spec. In our testing, with a 250kg load and a mix of town and A-road driving, we managed 2.4 miles per kWh, equating to a real-world range of around 160 to 165 miles.

The e-Expert's official figures are par for the medium-sized electric vans class, in the same ballpark as the Ford E-Transit Custom (209), Maxus eDeliver 7 (230), Renault Trafic E-Tech (186) and VW e-Transporter (192). Only the Mercedes eVito is completely outclassed, with its 162-mile official range.

The e-Expert benefits from its car-derived roots, sharing parts with cars as diverse as the Citroën C4 and Vauxhall Grandland. That translates into composed handling, confident cornering and relatively tight body control for a van.

The low centre of gravity due to the underfloor battery helps, and the light steering makes it easy to place around town. It’s not quite as supple or refined as the E-Transit Custom but it’s impressively close.

“You’ll forget Power mode exists, but I found that it makes quite a difference to the van at low speeds. That comes at the expense of range though.” – Phil Huff, Van Reviewer

The Peugeot e-Expert's interior is where the most comprehensive changes of the recent facelift are apparent. Gone is the outdated centre console, with a fresh 10in infotainment touchscreen sitting in its place, supported by a new digital driver's display, all wrapped up in a dashboard featuring strong horizontal design cues.

The top-spec Asphalt trim gets built-in navigation, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard on all models so you can run apps from your smartphone on the touchscreen. That’s handy because Peugeot’s software is dated and laggy, and the sat-nav is light years behind Google Maps, Waze or Apple Maps.

Material quality feels a step up from earlier e-Experts, with tough plastics and robust switchgear likely to endure the daily grind. A small phone tray and USB port sit handily beneath the screen, thankfully fixing a long-standing frustration where phones would slide about or hang precariously from cables on a smaller shelf.

That said, the interior remains one of the tightest in the class. It’s cramped with three across, and the offset driving position, where the driver’s seat, pedals and steering wheel don’t quite line up, remains unresolved. Short trips are fine, but long days could leave you twisted and sore.

Storage is average at best. The door bins are narrow, the glove box is oddly shaped and usable stowage for paperwork or lunchboxes is limited. The latest Ford E-Transit Custom and even Renault’s Trafic E-Tech beat it on cab space and ergonomics.

“I'm a bit surprised that while most Peugeots now get a stylish i-Cockpit interior, the e-Expert gets an utterly conventional dashboard, even in the Sport model.” – Phil Huff, Van Reviewer

As with its Stellantis siblings, the Peugeot e-Expert is offered in two lengths: Standard and Long. Load volumes are 5.3m³ and 6.1m³ respectively, which is broadly competitive with the class average.

That said, while the e-Expert and its siblings have been competitive for years, the model is now falling behind the best medium electric vans, with the Ford E-Transit Custom (5.8–6.8m³), Maxus eDeliver 7 (up to 8.7m³), and VW e-Transporter (5.8–6.8m³) offering more load volume.

There’s no high-roof variant of the e-Expert available, which limits maximum cargo height and flexibility. Still, the low roofline — the van is less than two metres tall – is useful in multi-storey car parks and restricted-access sites.

Access to the load bay is excellent thanks to twin sliding side doors and rear barn doors that open to 180 degrees, allowing a forklift to get up close to the back of the van. The E-Transit Custom gets a single side door as standard.

Payload reaches up to 1001kg, which was competitive but some rivals are creeping ahead. The e-Transit Custom can carry up to 1135kg and the Renault Trafic E-Tech tops out at 1222kg. The eDeliver 7 beats it too but the Mercedes eVito falls a long way short at just 794kg. If you’re a heavier haulier, that might be reason enough to look elsewhere.

The e-Expert's optional Moduwork load-through flap is worth having. It's standard on upper trims and lets you poke long, thin items such as pipes or posts through a flap in the bulkhead and under the passenger seat, extending load length to four metres.

A six-seat Crew Van variant is available, although it trades cargo capacity (down to 3.2 to 4.0m³) for extra people space and loses some payload.

“I'd advise checking carefully before you commit to a car park with an e-Expert. Some have lower height limits than even the low-roof version can negotiate.” – Phil Huff, Van Reviewer

Peugeot pitches the e-Expert as a cost-effective entry into electric van ownership, and the numbers largely support that claim. Pricing starts at just over £41,000 plus VAT and on-the-road fees, with the longer L3 model carrying a modest premium of around £800. The Asphalt model – which would be our choice – adds £2,500 or so.

As ever, Peugeot provides a decent range of specs. Entry-level Professional models include air-con, cruise control and rear parking sensors. Asphalt trims add sat-nav, a Moduwork load-through bulkhead with folding seat and desk, and Dynamic Surround View – a digital rear-view mirror with a split screen showing behind and along the side of the van.

If you want energy-saving and comfort-enhancing heated seats and steering wheel, you’ll need to spend extra on the options list or, counter-intuitively, upgrade to the spoiler-festooned Sport van.

The Sport model is vastly more expensive, and it’s not clear where all your money goes. There are spoilers, stickers, alloy wheels, stitched detailing and a few extra toys, but no mechanical upgrades. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but you’d have to really want yellow flashes down the side of your van.

The e-Expert's list prices undercut those of the equivalent Ford or Maxus models across the board, although not by a significant amount. The Government’s Plug-in Van Grant shaves £5,000 off those figures, as it does for each of its rivals.

Running costs should be significantly lower than for the diesel Peugeot Expert. Electricity is cheaper than fuel, especially if you have access to a depot or home EV charger, and zero-emission status brings benefits, including free entry into Clean Air Zones. Servicing is required every two years or 25,000 miles, with a check-up at 12 months.

Charging is handled by an 11kW onboard AC charger, with an empty-to-full charge using a home EV charger taking around 11.5 hours – fine for overnight use.

On the road, the e-Expert supports 100kW DC fast charging, allowing a 5 to 80% top-up in around 45 minutes. As with much of the van, those recharge speeds are competitive, if not class-leading. The Ford E-Transit Custom and VW e-Transporter charge at up to 125kW, although the Renault Trafic E-Tech struggles along at just 50kW.

Where Peugeot loses ground is in aftersales support. The e-Expert comes with a standard three-year, 100,000-mile warranty. That’s fine, but rivals go further.

VW covers the e-Transporter for five years (with free servicing and MoTs), and the almost-identical Toyota Proace Electric gets up to 10 years with basic servicing compliance. Peugeot’s own support doesn’t match that level of confidence, although it's better than Ford’s disappointing three-year, 6,000-mile limit.

“Brand loyalty might count against you. The e-Expert is an identical twin to four other vans, so I recommend speaking to each dealer to ensure you’re getting the best price.” – Phil Huff, Van Reviewer

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