2024 Peugeot E-Expert Van Review

The year is 2025 and Australia's current news cycle is all about the weather and the wattage.

It seems we've entered the latest episode of "Blackout Bingo", with the NSW Energy Minister suggesting we all "just use less power" during heatwaves to keep the lights on.

Meanwhile, tradies are still suspiciously eyeing anything without a diesel badge.

So, into this vortex of hot air (both literal and political) comes the Peugeot e-Expert - an electric van that promises to haul your stuff and reduce your carbon footprint.

But at $86,362 drive-away, it's not exactly cheap.

To make matters more complicated, the Mercedes-Benz eVito starts at a lower $60,864, while the Renault Kangoo E-Tech begins at $67,625, though it's a smaller van with less payload capacity.

So, is the Peugeot E-Expert really the answer for couriers and tradies around the country? Or is it just one more thing to unplug during a blackout?

To find out, I spent a week driving it, loading it to the brim and navigating around plenty of puzzled onlookers at charging bays.

What's the Peugeot e-Expert like to drive?

Driving the e-Expert is a bit like ordering a fancy new gadget online – you're not sure if it'll work out or fall flat, but you're quietly optimistic.

As soon as I climbed in and set off, I was pleasantly surprised.

The steering is light, so you're not wrestling it around corners. The ride is beautifully smooth, even when I loaded it up with what felt like half a Mitre 10.

And best of all, the battery range didn't nosedive the way I feared it might with all that weight.

The Peugeot E-Expert van is powered by a 75KwH lithium-ion battery which produces produces 100kW of power and 260Nm of torque, which might not sound like a lot but out on the road you're not going to want your cargo sliding around violently anyway - it is plenty.

Peugeot claims up to 330km and while I didn't push it to its absolute limit, it got me up the Central Coast and back a few times and each time, I had juice to spare.

Sure, it's not a Long Range Polestar, but it's also not pretending to be.

Adding to the experience is how well-insulated the cabin is. It's remarkably quiet inside, even when the outside world is bustling with noise. Whether you're cruising down the motorway or stuck in stop-start traffic, the cabin remains a calm, peaceful place to be.

What's the Peugeot e-Expert like inside?

Step inside the e-Expert and you'll find… well, a van. It's not exactly dripping with luxury, but it's well thought-out.

The seats are comfy enough for long drives and the controls are straightforward - no need to phone an IT department to figure out how to turn on the air con.

The cabin is functional, with a decent touchscreen that handles all the usuals like maps and music.

Visibility is pretty good, though the sheer size of this thing means you'll need to be mindful when squeezing into tight spaces. It does miss small considerations like a wideangle sidemirror to help monitor those blind spots - similar to that that you get on the Ford Transit Custom.

I couldn't help noticing the absence of Peugeot's signature iCockpit dash layout though - the one with the high-mounted driver display perched above a small, boxy steering wheel.

It's a setup that's become a hallmark of their passenger cars, giving them a touch of quirkiness and flair. Instead, the e-Expert plays it safe with a more traditional layout.

What's the Peugeot e-Expert's boot like?

The cargo area is where the e-Expert really flexes its muscles. Or it would, if it had more tie-down points. There are some, however for my uses, it would have been handy to have a few more.

The long wheelbase version offers a cavernous void capable of swallowing tools, furniture, or enough boxes to run your own moving company.

The sheer volume of space is undeniably impressive:

• Peugeot e-Expert: Up to 6.1 cubic metres
• Mercedes-Benz eVito: 6.0 cubic metres.
• Renault Kangoo E-Tech: 4.2 cubic metres.

With a little DIY ingenuity or some optional extras you could make it work beautifully.

How safe is the Peugeot e-Expert?

Safety in the e-Expert is a bit of a mixed bag.

On one hand, it's equipped with plenty of modern features that make day-to-day driving less stressful. There's blind spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, tyre pressure monitoring, hill start assist and front and rear parking sensors to help you avoid bumps and bruises, whether you're reversing into a tight spot or navigating a busy job site.

On the other hand, it misses out on adaptive cruise control, which feels like a glaring omission in 2024 - even some economy hatchbacks come with it as standard these days.

The light steering and decent visibility help keep things manageable, but the absence of adaptive cruise means it's not quite as effortless on long motorway drives as it could be.

For its size and purpose, the e-Expert is decently equipped with safety features, but if you're expecting the gold standard of Volvo-level tech, this van isn't quite there.

2024 Peugeot E-Expert van review: Verdict

The Peugeot e-Expert is a comfortable, easy-to-drive electric van with a smooth ride and impressively quiet cabin.

Its 330km range suits urban couriers and small business owners, though it may fall short for long-haul tradies.

At $86,362 drive-away, it's pricier than rivals like the $60,864 Mercedes-Benz eVito or $67,625 Renault Kangoo E-Tech, though it offers more cargo space than the latter. However, the lack of adaptive cruise control and proper tie-down points in the cargo area are notable drawbacks.

For those ready to embrace EVs in the city, the e-Expert is a solid choice- just don't forget your bungee cords.