TRAVELLING A BIT FURTHER (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Peugeot's biggest People Carrier, the E-Traveller, has usefully improved its proposition. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 73

You'd be surprised just how many options there are for a business or a family seeking full-electric power in a really large MPV. Here's Peugeot's take on this concept, the E-Traveller. This improved version now gets a larger 75kWh battery, so it'll go a bit further on a single charge. And it'll seat up to nine, help you move house or function as an executive minibus. All without using a drop of fuel.

Backgroundword count: 109

Peugeot is building up a useful portfolio of full-electric models. Here's the marque's biggest EV, the E-Traveller, in this guise usefully improved. It's based on Peugeot's Expert van and it goes up against two identically-engineered design stablemates, the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric and the Citroen e-SpaceTourer All three of these Stellantis Group models have been enhanced and can now match the driving range of the segment leader, the Mercedes EQV. But this Peugeot costs a lot less than that Stuttgart model and offers a useful choice of body styles. Both these things might be of interest to business users and suburban family customers. Let's check this green-minded MPV out.

Driving Experienceword count: 245

Probably the biggest issue with the original E-Traveller was its restricted 143 mile range. Well there's been a big improvement there thanks to the installation of a new 75kWh battery pack that boosts range to 217 miles. A useful improvement, but we're a little disappointed that Peugeot hasn't also installed the even bigger 110kWh pack that's now available with its larger Boxer LCV (which gives an even better range of up to 260 miles). Perhaps the thinking was that a battery of that weighty size might have rather over-whelmed the 134bhp (260Nm) electric motor which is carried over from the original model. Three driving modes are available, but you'll need the most frugal of them - 'Eco' - to get anywhere near the claimed range figure - and that restricts power output significantly. The other two settings are 'Normal' and 'Power'. There's also a new regenerative braking system with three different levels, using paddles located behind the steering wheel. Through the corners, as you would expect, there's plenty of body roll if, rather unwisely, you start throwing the thing about. If you can ignore both that and the slightly vague steering and find yourself absolutely having to push on, you'll find that there's reasonable grip and traction. For outdoor activities, the E-Traveller can come with an Advanced Grip Control system, incorporating Hill Assist Descent Control and adjustable traction control. This set-up's ideal for use on low grip surfaces, with modes for sand, mud and snow.

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