Pete drives a Peugeot e-2008 GT 54kWh 2021.

This is Pete’s first electric car, he’s owned the Peugeot e-2008 from new and drives under 5,000 miles annually. The current mileage of the car is between 5,000-10,000 miles and he achieves 170 miles from a full charge.

Why did you choose the Peugeot e-2008?

I was running a faithful old diesel Volvo V40 (2016) and was becoming increasingly conscious of the exhaust emissions. I saw an opportunity to make my small contribution to the fight against global warming and decided on an electric car. This all happened in 2019.

Several things became apparent when I started to look for a suitable replacement. One was cost and the other was ease of getting in and out, due to a back injury from years previous. In 2019, I was looking for something that I could lease for around £300 a month and was high riding enough for my back. I really liked the Volvo XC40 Recharge (and Volvo’s legendary seats) but it was way too expensive.

I settled on the Peugeot because it did everything I needed it to and the exterior and interior design was appealing. The range was always a compromise. The WLTP was something like 208 miles but it was obvious from the outset that it was more likely to be 30 – 40 miles less. Nevertheless, it is a great car.

Positives – List 3 or more reasons why you love this electric car

1.  I like the look of it
2. It is comfortable and smooth riding
3. It charges quickly
4. It drives well and is very quick
5. It fits in my narrow drive.

Negatives – List 3 or more things that you really don’t like about this electric car

1. The phone app! It is shockingly bad
2. The software update process is ridiculously slow and requires you to sit with your seatbelt on for the duration, which takes nearly an hour. Requires USB drive too.
3. The lack of a heat pump. Range drops to about 130 in the dead of winter and you have to freeze if you want to go the distance.
4. Door sills are very high
5. When raining, the tailgate drips water into the boot when opened.

Compared to when you first bought the car, does your battery still charge at the same rate & do you still get the same range?

Interestingly, I get more range now. Maybe since it had a safety recall (July 2023) and had the main software updated?

Have you experienced any faults with the car? If so, what have they been?

The car has been faultless.

What are the standout technological features of the car?

The driver assistance systems are very good. Speed limit notification, camera alerts, lane-keeping assistance, cruise control, auto-dipping LED headlights, pre-conditioning (via app), built-in infotainment system and DAB radio with decent quality speakers, satellite navigation, 360 degree reversing cameras and reverse parking assistance, keyless remote lock/unlock & three-stage heated front seats.

Surprise us! Tell us something people wouldn’t readily know about this electric car

There is a nifty two-level boot floor, which is more or less level with the boot door. Cables can be stored underneath or it can be removed for bigger loads. There is also a sliding blind that covers the panoramic glass roof on those hot days.

What’s the biggest or funniest myth you’ve heard about EVs?

The biggest myth is the “they’re less green than diesels” or the “battery only lasts 5 years then has to be replaced” and most recently, “EVs are bursting into flames all the time…”

What electric car(s) are you interested in next and why?

Volvo C40 – because I have always loved the Swedish design and solidity

Škoda ENYAQ – an umbrella in the door!

Polestar 2 – because it looks like a proper car and not an SUV and bizarrely, it is less to lease than the C40, which it shares its chassis with.

Did I say that the ENYAQ has an umbrella in the door? I mean, it’s almost reason enough, right?

Home charging unit – outline both positive & negative elements 

myenergi zappi 2 – I chose it over the Pod Point purely because it has built-in PEN (Protective Earth, Neutral) fault protection and it can accommodate solar panel feeds and 3 phase (11kW) supplies. It has been fantastic with only one fault that myenergi fixed by replacement of the entire unit. Good product with great service & back-up.

Electricity supplier & tariff – outline both positive & negative elements

Octopus Energy – who are awesome. Unfortunately, I cannot take full advantage of their best products due to the fact that I am unable to have a smart meter. Many will not know that smart meters require connection to the old 2G mobile network to communicate. In many spots around the UK, the signal is insufficient to allow the communication to work, so you cannot enjoy the full benefits or discounts.

What public charging networks would you recommend to others and why?

MFG (Motor Fuels Group), GRIDSERVE & bp pulse are probably the better ones I have used on long journeys. In general, my experience with public charging has been poor. In most cases, there are too few chargers per service area or car park (excluding Tesla).

Many times I have arrived to find EVs queuing or people staking their claim on a charger. Then there is the huge frustration of having a different method, app or means of payment required for all the different providers, some requiring RFID cards, some insisting on a bespoke app and a minimum credit. I think that is the single biggest downside to owning an EV.

Insurer – outline both positive & negative elements 

LV= I have done for years. I pay £43 a month for my Peugeot e-2008 GT. I’ve had little need to contact them, no accidents or claims. They offer reasonably good products with recovery, personal injury, windscreen, loan car etc. as part of the policy I have. I don’t know where the recent stories of £5,000 insurance on EVs came from. I certainly haven’t been quoted anything outlandish recently. I note that LV are now doing their own leasing, so getting the insurance and possibly maintenance included in the lease would be appealing.

Please itemise where you’re saving money (or not) owning & running a Peugeot e-2008

It’s difficult for me to equate properly. I took delivery of my EV just before the first lockdown and since then I have been working from home. My annual mileage has dropped from nearly 20,000 to under 5,000. My insurance is £43 a month, there’s no tax and 99% of my charging is at home, where it costs me 16p/kWh and usually takes between 4-5 hours. I had one puncture but otherwise the tyres are original. I can say though, that compared to the diesel V40, the savings are still significant.

See other Peugeot e-2008 Owner Reviews here