The Peugeot 408 Plug-In Hybrid Fastback: The Complete Guide For India

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Electric Cars: The Basics

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For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:

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The Peugeot 408 PHEV Fastback

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Peugeot is part of the Netherlands based Stellantis N.V., which was formed by the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (Italian/ American) and Groupe PSA (French). You may not be familiar with these names, but the automotive brands in the portfolio would be well known to most consumers. These include: Maserati, Opel, Vauxhall, Jeep, FIAT, Alfa Romeo etc. The company’s portfolio of electric vehicles (EVs) include:

• The all-electric Peugeot e-2008
• The all-electric Peugeot e-208
• Peugeot 308 PHEV
• Peugeot 308 SW PHEV
• Peugeot 3008 PHEV
• Peugeot 508 PHEV
• Peugeot 508 SW PHEV
• The all-electric Peugeot e-Rifter
• Peugeot e-Traveller PHEV
• Peugeot 408 PHEV

The new plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) from Peugeot, the 408 PHEV, does beg the question, what body type is it? The electric vehicle (EV) is a blend of a coupé-SUV, crossover and an estate, with an attractive fastback exterior sloping roofline. A ‘Fastback’ or a ‘Sportback’ or any other similar exterior styling continues to gain in popularity, with both automotive manufacturers and consumers, and we do expect this momentum to continue.

For those with a keen eye on electric cars, the Peugeot 408 may look familiar. In fact, it is! The 408 PHEV shares much in common with the Citroën C5 X plug-in hybrid. Citroën is also owned by the same parent company, Stellantis N.V.

It is now common for automotive manufactures to leverage the economies of scope, by sharing an underlying development platform across brands and models. End result, lower production costs, which translates to lower retail prices. The 408 also has elements from the Peugeot 308. The Peugeot 408 uses the EMP2 V3 platform, which is used to develop both petrol and electrified powertrains.

Peugeot is keen for the 408 to standout and it certainly does. In fact, the design team at Peugeot took seven years to complete this project. The vehicle is available as a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) and a PHEV. Though Peugeot has not confirmed as yet, it is expected to also be available in due course as a battery-electric vehicle (BEV). For those new to electric cars, a BEV is a pure electric car and only runs on battery power!

The 408 PHEV has a 12.4 kWh onboard EV battery. It is an average EV battery size, that we have come to expect from manufacturers for plug-in hybrids, however, some of the newest PHEVs offer an onboard EV battery size closer to 20 kWh. Therefore, a little disappointing, in that, Peugeot does not offer the EV with a larger onboard EV battery. In general, the larger the EV battery capacity, the longer the pure electric range.

Peugeot claims the 408 plug-in hybrid has a zero-tailpipe emission electric range up to 64 km (WLTP) on a full charge. However, the real-world electric range will depend on a number of factors, and will certainly be less than the claimed range. For those new to electric driving, these factors include: driving profile, weather conditions, road surface, wheel size, onboard services used, passenger load and more.

Expect a real-world EV range between 50 and 55 km for the 408 plug-in hybrid. For those that drive short distances and can take advantage of the lower costs of electric driving, then the PHEV does make sense. However, if you are driving long distances on a regular basis, it will certainly be worth considering a pure electric car instead. The latest generation of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) have a zero-emission electric range between 300 km to 500 km. In some cases, even more!

We encourage driving a PHEV on the e-mode, to leverage the benefits of driving a plug-in hybrid. Apart from zero-tailpipe emissions, when driven on the electric mode, a PHEV offers the opportunity to lower the cost of motoring i.e. far lower than using a conventional petrol or diesel vehicle.

We recommend charging at home and overnight, when the electricity tariff prices are lower. We also encourage taking advantage of on-site solar generation and battery storage, to further reduce the cost of charging and lowering emissions.

The Peugeot PHEV does not offer DC charging capability. Most plug-in hybrids do not, given the smaller size of the onboard EV battery. The plug-in hybrid incorporates a 3.7 kW AC onboard charger as standard, with an option to upgrade to a 7.4 kW AC onboard charger.

Charging via a smart residential EV charger like myenergi zappi, the 3.7 kW AC option can achieve full charge in 3 hours and 25 minutes. With the upgraded 7.4 kW AC onboard charger, the EV can be fully charger in 1 hour and 40 minutes.

We at e-zoomed recommend upgrading to the 7.4 kW AC onboard charger, as it will also help reduce the charging time at public charging stations. Though the PHEV can be charged via a standard 3-PIN domestic plug, we at e-zoomed discourage the use of a domestic plug for charging an electric car. Those still keen to use one, the EV will take up to 5 hours and 30 minutes to achieve a full charge.

Though the interior of the EV is not as radical as the exterior, the PHEV does offer practicality and style. Given the length of the EV (4.6 metres), there is ample legroom for rear seat passengers. However, due to the Fastback roofline, the headroom can be tight for taller adults. The electric car offers a boot size up to 471 litres and a hands-free smart electric tailgate.

In terms of technology, the PHEV incorporates the latest-generation PEUGEOT i-Cockpit with a 10” digital display and 10” HD central touch-screen. The manufacturer offers a host of driver assistance aids, either as standard or as an option. Some of these include: active safety brake system, lane keeping assist, long range blind spot detection, adaptive cruise control, lane positioning assist, night vision and more!

The plug-in electric car is available in two drivetrain options: HYBRID 180 e-EAT8 and HYBRID 225 e-EAT8. The HYBRID 180 e-EAT8 pairs a 1.6-litre PureTech 150 hp petrol engine with an electric motor (81 kW), powered by an onboard EV battery. The HYBRID 225 e-EAT8 pairs the PureTech 179 hp with the 81 kW electric motor.

In terms of performance, the front-wheel drive HYBRID 180 e-EAT8 delivers 0-100 km/h in 8.1 seconds, with a 225 km/h top speed (maximum power: 180 hp/ torque: 360 Nm). The HYBRID 225 e-EAT8 delivers 0-100 km/h in 7.8 seconds, with a 233 km/h top speed (maximum power: 225 hp/ torque: 360 Nm). In electric mode, the top speed is up to 135 km/h.

The electric car also benefits from instant torque. The EV incorporates 3 driving modes: Hybrid, Electric and Sport. We recommend driving as often as possible on the electric mode. The PHEV also incorporates regenerative braking to increase the efficiency and electric range.

Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet! The PHEV is not available in India.

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PROS	CONS
Attractive exterior styling	Average sized onboard EV battery and unexceptional electric range
Decent interior cabin quality	7.4 kW AC onboard charger not standard
Good vehicle efficiency	Headroom for rear-seat passengers impacted by roofline

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The Peugeot 408 PHEV Fastback (credit: Peugeot)

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At A Glance
EV Type:	Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
Body Type:	Fastback
Engine:	Petrol-Electric
Available In India:	No

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Trims (1 Option)
Peugeot 408 PHEV (from ₹ N/A)

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EV Battery & Emissions
EV Battery Type:	Lithium-ion
EV Battery Capacity:	Available in one battery size: 12.4 kWh
Charging:	DC charging not available. Onboard charger 3.7 kW AC (0%-100%: 3 hrs 25 mins)
Charge Port:	Type 2
EV Cable Type:	Type 2
Tailpipe Emissions:	24 – 30g (CO2/km)
EV Battery Warranty:	8 years or 160,000 km

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Charging Times (Overview)
Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW):	6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC)
Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW):	3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging AC (43 kW):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging DC (50 kW+):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Ultra rapid charging DC (150 kW+):	0-80% : 20 mins to 40 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Tesla Supercharger (120 kW – 250 kW):	0-80%: up to 25 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)

• Note 1: SoC: state of charge

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Dimensions
Height (mm):	1478
Width (mm):	2062
Length (mm):	4687
Wheelbase (mm):	2787
Turning Circle (m):	11.18
Boot Space (L):	471

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HYBRID 180 e-EAT8
EV Battery Capacity:	12.4 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	64 km
Electric Energy Consumption (Wh/km):	N/A
Fuel Consumption (l/100km):	1.2 – 1.3
Charging:	DC charging not available. Onboard charger 3.7 kW AC (0%-100%: 3 hrs 25 mins)
Top Speed:	225 km/h
0-100 km/h:	8.1 seconds
Drive:	Front-wheel drive (FWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	81
Max Power (HP):	180
Torque (Nm):	360
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	5
Kerb Weight (kg):	1,455
Colours:	6
NCAP Safety Rating:	N/A

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HYBRID 225 e-EAT8
EV Battery Capacity:	12.4 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	64 km
Electric Energy Consumption (Wh/km):	N/A
Fuel Consumption (l/100km):	1.2 – 1.3
Charging:	DC charging not available. Onboard charger 3.7 kW AC (0%-100%: 3 hrs 25 mins)
Top Speed:	233 km/h
0-100 km/h:	7.8 seconds
Drive:	Front-wheel drive (FWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	81
Max Power (HP):	225
Torque (Nm):	360
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	5
Kerb Weight (kg):	1,455
Colours:	6
NCAP Safety Rating:	N/A

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What Is A Heat Pump In Electric Cars?

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EV Heat Pump: The Basics
What is a heat pump in electric cars?	In conventional internal combustion engine (ICE), petrol and diesel vehicles, the energy (waste heat) generated from the engine (powertrain), is captured to re-use for heating the interior cabin of the vehicle. However, in pure electric cars, the heat generated (waste heat) from the electric drive (electric motor, inverter, on-board AC charger) and the onboard high-voltage EV battery is not as much, as the heat generated in conventional cars, and cannot be re-used on its own to provide sufficient cabin heating (electric cars are more efficient than petrol/ diesel cars). Therefore in EVs, the sources for capturing heat, also includes the outside air i.e. it is a multi-source heat pump system. This captured heat is re-used for the onboard EV battery management and also for heating the cabin interior, increasing the electric car efficiency and reducing the need to draw energy from the onboard EV battery. In general, a lithium-ion EV battery is less energy efficient during colder months (similar to the laptop or smartphone battery).
How does a heat pump increase electric range in colder winter months?	Electric cars that do not incorporate an onboard heat pump, rely on the energy of the onboard EV battery for heating the interior cabin of the electric car, further impacting the available e-range. In contrast, EVs with a heat pump, do not rely on the onboard EV battery to heat the cabin. Instead, the heat pump sources heat from multiple sources and releases energy-efficient heating into the cabin. Put another way, an electric car with a heat pump does not place any demand on the onboard EV battery for heating the interior cabin. There is ample real-world evidence to prove that electric cars with a heat pump offer longer electric range in winter months, compared to electric cars that do not incorporate a heat pump. The average improvement in range is between 10% to 20%.
How does a heat pump work in an electric car?	Step 1: naturally heated antifreeze is channelled into the heat pump evaporator, where the heat is transferred to the coolant circulating in the unit. The evaporator converts the coolant into gas (evaporation). Step 2: the gas is sucked into a compressor to increase the pressure of the gas. When air is compressed it increases its temperature. The gas temperature is increased to 80° C. Step 3: the compressed gas is transferred to a condenser, where the heat is transferred to water in the condenser. Step 4: the heat is then circulated to the interior cabin, while the gas is converted into liquid form, and is transferred back to the heat pump evaporator via an expansion valve. The cycle is then repeated.
Is a heat pump used only for heating?	No. A heat pump can also be used for cooling. As an example, the Audi Q7 EV uses the onboard heat pump for heating and cooling.
Does a heat pump come as standard in EVs?	Though some manufacturers offer the heat pump as standard, most offer it as an optional extra. We recommend purchasing the option.
Can a heat pump be installed in an electric car post delivery?	Usually it is not possible, given the complexity of installing a heat pump. So always order it at the time of purchase.
Are all heat pumps in electric cars the same?	No. There is a difference in technology, approach and efficiency achieved for different manufacturers. As an example, Hyundai and Kia claim to have one of the most efficient heat pumps, given the ability of their technology to dynamically choose the most appropriate heat source at a given moment. Hyundai claims the heat pump incorporated in the all-electric Hyundai Kona can improve the winter electric range up to 18%, significantly higher than the average improvement (10%).
Are there any other advantages offered by a heat pump in colder months?	Yes, you can pre-heat the electric vehicle (EV) via your mobile app before you commence your journey. This way you can have a toasty warm interior cabin on a cold winter day!

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While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.

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