The electric commercial vehicle sector continues to gather momentum off the back of the New Zealand Government’s Clean Car scheme and the arrival of the country’s first electric ute.
Among the next marques set to join the fray is Peugeot, which is scheduled to launch its fully electric e-Expert later this year. Although, the date is dependent on local distributors securing supply.
An Auto Distributors spokesperson has confirmed that it’s struggling to get supply of Peugeot LCV stock at the moment due to “production constraints” at Peugeot.
“Nevertheless, we are working with Peugeot France to get EV versions of the vans,” the spokesperson said, adding that the e-Expert “might arrive later Q4”.
Most local distributors that offer European marques often have to play second fiddle to the European market, which can result in low supply numbers. This has become a more critical trauma with electric vehicles.
The spokesperson confirmed that the e-Expert isn’t the only electric van on the brand’s horizon, with the e-Partner also destined to launch locally later this year. It’s set to beat the e-Expert to the market, launching in August or September.
“We are launching a new Partner Van 1.2 Petrol 8 speed auto in a couple of months and the EV version will follow 2 months after,” they said.
Pricing for the two models will be confirmed closer to launch.
The spokesperson added that there are no plans to bring in the full-size Peugeot e-Boxer, and currently no plans to bring in the e-Expert Hydrogen. “We want to focus on pure EV versions of commercial vehicles at this stage. Cell technology might come in the future,” they said.
The two new plug-in models add to Peugeot’s swelling electrified line-up. Last year it added the e-208 hatch and e-2008 crossover, as well as the 3008 Hybrid4 PHEV. A 308 PHEV is also on the way later this year.
Currently, the LDV eDeliver 3 and eDeliver 9, Ford’s plug-in hybrid Transit Custom, and the Renault Kangoo EV are the only plug-in commercials on the market.
Mercedes-Benz is set to enter the market shortly with its eVito, eVito Touring, eSprinter, and EQV, Ford will soon launch its full-size E-Transit, and Opel looks set to bring in electric versions of the Combo, Vivaro, and Movano.
