Peugeot e-Partner electric van review

Perhaps Peugeot has a particularly stubborn set of executives, engineers or designers that has enabled it to break ranks from ‘the norm’ when it comes to its Peugeot e-Partner small electric van.

You see, the e-Partner was developed alongside the Citroën e-Berlingo, Toyota Proace City Electric and Vauxhall Combo Electric, with all four models the same in most respects. However, while this extends to the interior designs of the others, the e-Partner gets a bespoke dashboard, which features the i-Cockpit layout from the brand’s passenger cars.

This means it has an unusually small steering wheel that you look over rather than through to see the instruments, and results in a more contemporary and sporty feel.

On the other hand, underneath all four vans are identical, pairing a 134bhp motor with a 50kWh battery. It’s the same setup that you get in the larger Peugeot e-Expert – although that model is also available with a 75kWh battery.

Still, in the e-Partner 50kWh is enough for up to 171 miles of range between charges, at least according to the official tests. Plus, the van has a payload of up to 800kg and can move up to 4.4m3 in its load area if you go for the larger of the two body sizes on offer.

Its diesel sister, the Peugeot Partner, is offered in a wide range of trims, including some geared specifically towards fleet buyers and people looking for vans capable of going off-road. However, the e-Partner comes in just two trims: Professional Premium and Asphalt Premium.

Professional Premium offers a mid-level specification, while Asphalt Premium adds features pitched at drivers who will spend longer behind the wheel. In this respect, the e-Partner is the same as the e-Berlingo, whereas the entry-level Combo-e is cheaper and less generously equipped, and the Toyota Proace City Electric aimed at buyers willing to pay more for a very high level of standard kit.

Aside from its siblings, rivals to the Peugeot e-Partner include the Maxus E Deliver 3, Mercedes e-Citan and Renault Kangoo E-Tech. But whatever you choose, take a look at our rundown of the best electric vans to buy today.

Read more: How we test vans

Electric vehicles are generally associated with quietness, because you don’t have an engine chuntering away under the bonnet. But not all electric vans deliver on that promise, because their boxy bodies and larger than life door mirrors can generate a lot of wind noise.

Fortunately, this isn’t an issue in the Peugeot e-Partner, partly because it’s packed with a lot of sound-deadening material, and partly because its door mirrors are actually quite small.

True, you do hear a hint of whir from the electric motor, but it’s much quieter than the diesel engines in the regular Peugeot Partner. Plus, the e-Partner feels far more responsive, because its full 192lb ft of torque is available from the moment you press the accelerator

Handling is also improved compared with the diesels, thanks to the e-Partner’s battery being positioned beneath the floor, and therefore lowering the centre of gravity.

In fact, you can forget any clichés that you might have heard about vans driving like cars, because the e-Partner is actually better to drive than many combustion-engined cars, mixing accurate steering with strong grip and a well-balanced feel.

Driving overview

Strengths Generally refined; responsive electric motor; improved handling compared with diesel version

Weaknesses Some whirring from the electric motor

As we’ve already mentioned, the Peugeot e-Partner has an unusually small steering wheel that will be familiar to anyone who has driven one of the brand’s recent passenger cars.

In some of those it can be difficult to see the instruments behind without compromising your driving position, but that’s not a problem here.

To the left is an 8.0in infotainment touchscreen that’s angled towards the driver to make it easier to use and creates a cockpit-like feel. This enhances the appeal of what is a very neat, tidy and practical interior with good levels of storage for a small van.

Quality also impresses, with the plastics feeling of suitably high quality and varying in colour and texture to keep things interesting.

The only slight issue is that while the relatively small door mirrors are good for refinement, they don’t make for great rearward visibility. However, if you go for Asphalt Premium trim this is less of an issue, because it brings front and rear parking sensors and Peugeot’s Surround Rear Vision camera system, which can display both a rearward view and a view of what’s in your passenger-side blindspot.

Interior overview

Strengths Infotainment screen angled towards the driver; impressive material quality; surround-view camera system

Weaknesses Small door mirrors hamper visibility

Small vans still need to be practical, which is why the e-Partner’s standard Multi-Flex folding passenger seat is such a welcome feature. Not only does it double as a useful table that you can work from, but it enables the front seat to fold completely flat, increasing the loading length of the cargo area.

In addition, folding it increases the load volume of the Standard e-Partner from 3.3m3 to 3.8m3, while in the Long version the volume increases from 3.9m3 to 4.4m3.

In terms of dimensions, the Standard and Long vans have a maximum load length of 1817mm and 2167mm respectively, while both have the same internal height of 1243mm; no high roof models are available.

The gap between the rear wheel arches is 1229mm, which is enough for a pallet to fit between them.

Practicality overview

Strengths Multi-Flex passenger seat; a pallet can fit in the back

Weaknesses Some rivals can hold more

Formerly a notorious discounter of its commercial vehicles, Peugeot has now changed course, with the aim of offering value instead of reductions.

The e-Partner is a good example of this, with Professional Premium models getting a long list of standard equipment, including air condition, cruise control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, electrically adjustable door mirrors and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

In addition to parking sensors and Peugeot’s Surround Rear Vision camera system, upgrading to Asphalt Premium trim brings an even higher level of sound deadening, automatic windscreen wipers and built-in sat-nav.

All e-Partners are also capable of rapid charging at speeds of up to 100kWh, which is enough to take the battery from 20 to 80% in just 30 minutes. Alternatively, a 7.4kWh wallbox will charge the battery to full in 7.5 hours, and an 11kWh charger will do the same job in 5 hours.

The e-Partner is supported by a two-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, with the battery covered for eight years or 100,000 miles – whichever comes first.

Costs overview

Strengths Good levels of standard kit; unlimited-mileage warranty; fast charging

Weaknesses Discounts can be hard to come by 

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About the author

George Barrow is one of the leading van and truck reviewers, and is the UK’s only representative on the prestigious International Van of the Year jury. He has written about vans and commercial vehicles for the past 15 years, and can be found in titles including The Sun and What Van?, alongside What Car?.

Barrow is well regarded in the commercial vehicle industry, securing access to the latest models – and the people who made them – long before other titles.