Performance & drive
What it’s like to drive, and how quiet it is
The Peugeot e-Expert’s 100kW electric motor produces only 134bhp, but it feels much punchier than those raw numbers suggest. When you put your foot down, you’re met with 192lb ft of instantaneous torque that has the van scampering away from traffic lights in a calm, fuss-free and relentless manner. Acceleration tails off at motorway speeds, but the overall performance is similar to its diesel engine counterparts and other electric vans.
While Peugeot quotes a WLTP-certified range of 143 miles for the smaller 50kWh battery and 205 miles for the larger 75kWh battery, those figures are a little ambitious in the real world. We would estimate around 110 miles and 175 miles respectively are achievable with a modest load, but just be aware that motorway driving zaps how far any electric vehicle will go, so if you’re looking for a van to use for long journeys regularly, a traditional diesel alternative might suit you better.
There's also a ‘B’ mode, which maximises the effect of the regenerative (energy recovery system) braking to a point where the force is enough to make using the brake pedal less necessary. It’s effective, but a third, more powerful mode would be welcome, and toggling to the optimum setting would be easier if the selection controls were on the steering wheel. The way the same controls are implemented on the Mercedes eVito seems much more thoroughly thought through.
On the whole, though, the e-Expert stops and goes admirably well. Wind and road noise are impressive by the standards of the class, while the complete absence of engine noise makes it significantly more relaxing to drive than an equivalent Peugeot Expert diesel.
