Peugeot e-208 2021 electric car owner review

Huw G drives a Peugeot e-208 50kWh 2021.

This is Huw’s first electric car, he’s owned the Peugeot e-208 2-3 years and drives under 5,000 miles annually. The current mileage of the car is between 5,000-10,000 miles and he achieves 190 miles from a full charge.

Why did you choose the Peugeot e-208?

I had a BMW convertible as a second car previously but I was hardly using it and my wife didn’t like driving it. As we had solar panels and off-street parking, it made sense to have an EV. I first considered a BMW i3 but the price was higher, the p/x for my BMW convertible was worse (to my surprise and annoyance) and the bp charging that BMW recommends couldn’t give me a date for the installation of the charging point.

In contrast, the Peugeot e-208 looked much more modern, it was more roomy and it was much cheaper than the i3. The p/x value of my BMW with Peugeot was much better (why couldn’t a BMW main dealer who knew it’s history match or better it?) and Pod Point could install the charging point before I took delivery of the car. I’d heard of a person who bought 2 Renault EVs but then found out that he was not allowed a cable to go across a public footpath – oops!.

Positives

I love the modern styling
it’s ideal for local use which is what we use it for – my other car is a diesel estate which we use for long journeys
I like the small steering wheel and the futuristic 3D dashboard
I like the performance, which is good even in Eco mode
it’s relaxing to drive with little noise
my wife loves driving it too as it is easy to drive and to park.

Negatives

The ride is a bit hard and can be noisy when it thumps over potholes and humps in the road
I tried a courtesy e-2008 and found it more comfortable and quiet with similar performance
the range drops quite a lot in winter – putting the car in Eco and Brake mode which I now do all the time really helps to eke out the maximum range without unduly affecting performance
it’s a shame that when the rear seats are folded, the floor is not flat all the way to the front seats, although this may apply also to non-EV 208s.

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

The car had a recall for a software update which the Peugeot dealer dealt with efficiently. Apart from that, no problems, just routine servicing.

What are the standout technological features of the car?

The 3D dashboard, which you can change to your particular presence is great. Eco mode extends the range without noticeably affecting my use of the car. It supposedly affects the heating and performance but I scarcely notice this. Brake mode is excellent as it hugely reduces your need to apply the brakes and it gives extra battery regeneration. Being a heavy car, if you don’t use Brake mode, you will get through brake pads very quickly! The slowing down is very noticeable but it doesn’t bring the car to a complete stop like some EVs.

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

I really like the modern styling, Peugeot has really improved their styling in recent years! To compliment this, the young salesman suggested I go for ‘Faro Yellow’. My wife was horrified when I told her and my sons said “Dad, act your age!” but it is a really nice mustard yellow and with the black highlights the car looks really great. They both changed their mind when they saw the car!

Having solar panels, we felt rather smug when fuel prices rocketed and it’s nice to think that the car has no exhaust spewing out fumes when in the high street. The car has 136hp which 10 yrs ago would’ve meant a hot hatch – however, the sheer weight of the car blunts the performance apart from a standing start – it is really quick away from the traffic lights!

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

Possibly another e-208 with the larger batter giving extra performance and range. Or because of my age, perhaps an e-2008 (also with the larger battery) which I found more comfortable and is easier to get in and out of. I love the styling of modern Peugeot cars.

Home charging unit

It is a Pod Point charger – it was quickly and efficiently installed outside my garage with a long enough cable to reach my car on the driveway. We had a couple of minor teething issues which Pod Point sorted out. The cost to me was £159 as I received a £300 Govt grant 2.5 yrs ago. Some competitors charge a lot more!

I now wish that I’d got it installed inside my garage to extend its life compared to being in the full glare of the sun and also for security purposes, as there is nothing to stop anyone charging their car when I have no car on the driveway, as I didn’t ask for an optional lock! I have never used the Pod Point app or a commercial charging point. I would not be so keen on an EV if I didn’t have solar panels and a home charging point.

Electricity supplier & tariff

We are with OVO and have recently had issues with them as I couldn’t access my account and I was unaware that I had a large debt despite having a smart meter & paying by D/D. Because of my solar panels, I charge when the sun is shining, never at night, so I have not gone for a specific tariff for night-time charging like Octopus & some others offer.

Do you use public charging networks?

Insurer

I got a shock after I bought my e-208 as the first insurance cost from RIAS for a small electric car was higher than my BMW 420d Sport Convertible – why? However, on the next renewal the cost was more reasonable.

Please itemise here you’re saving money (or not) owning & running a Peugeot e-208

There is no road tax currently on a full EV car so I’ve had 2.5 yrs so far with no road tax! Running costs are good because I have solar panels and always charge at home (VAT is 5% compared with 20% with commercial chargers). I top up the battery in sunshine when it shows about 100 miles range left and top it up for 2-3 hours when it shows a range of 180 to 200 miles (215 miles max).

Not really worked out how much it costs or how much I save, but it has got to be worthwhile having an EV if you have solar panels and home charging! If you have neither, I would think there would be no saving compared with petrol or diesel equivalent cars.