Let’s be straight: in a world clogged with lumbering SUVs that block the road like confused elephants, the Peugeot 208 has always been the clever underdog – compact, feisty, and with just enough French flair to put a grin on your face behind the wheel. But now, with the electric overhaul rolling out in 2025 and 2026, that underdog turns into a proper hero. No more petrol engines coughing like a chain-smoking uncle at a family reunion; this is pure, silent electricity that whips you from home to office without a single sigh of protest. And trust me, when you’re as pro-electric as I am, you feel like royalty.
Design-wise, Peugeot hasn’t been slacking. The new e-208 sits on the STLA Small platform – yes, it sounds like an acronym from a dull meeting, but it’s Stellantis’ latest playground for compact EVs. The outside? Sharp as a blade, with those signature lion-claw headlights winking at the legendary 205 from the eighties. Lines are cleaner, the grille more minimalist – no pointless frills, why bother? This thing slices through town like a shark through water, aerodynamic enough to laugh at wind resistance. And for those who like a dash of drama: the Polygon Concept Peugeot just showed off hints at gull-wing doors and a sculpted C-pillar with elegant panels. Not all production-ready, of course, but it sets the tone for a car that looks like a concept that accidentally wandered into the showroom.
Inside? This is where it gets properly fun. Forget old-school dashboards crammed with buttons that make you question your life choices. The e-208 takes a different path with an airy cabin that breathes – literally, because there’s more space and light than you’d expect in something so small. The i-Cockpit evolves: the steering wheel becomes a sleek rectangle with cut-outs, inspired by high-tech dreams, and it doubles as a giant head-up display on your windscreen. No more squinting at tiny screens; everything projects right in front of you, clear and intuitive. Then there’s the steer-by-wire system – electric steering with no mechanical clutter in between. Twist the “wheel” half a turn to park, or let it hold steady on the motorway without wrenching your wrist. It feels like wizardry, and Peugeot promises to be among the first to drop it into production cars. Count on a smug grin when you slide into a tight parking spot without breaking a sweat.
Under the bonnet – or rather, where it used to be – pulses an electric motor that doesn’t impress with noise, but with torque that pins you to the seat. The base version delivers around 115 kW, good for a relaxed 0-100 in 8 seconds, but wait for the GTi: 280 hp and 345 Nm, sprinting to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds. That’s hot-hatch territory, minus the exhaust fumes to annoy the neighbours. The battery? A 54 kWh pack promising a realistic 350 to 500 km range, depending on how you abuse the heater in winter. Plug it into a CCS charger and you’re at 80 % in half an hour – perfect for an impulsive dash to the Ardennes. Price? Expect around €30,000 for the entry level, with incentives making it even sweeter. This isn’t luxury for millionaires; it’s electric driving for the rest of us, affordable and addictive.
What makes this 208 truly brilliant is how it lives its electric life every day. No vibrations, no gear changes – just smooth acceleration that surprises you without warning, and silence that keeps your podcasts crystal clear. In town, where traffic jams and red lights usually drive you mad, it becomes a zen master: regenerative braking tops up the battery as you coast, and its compact size makes it nimbler than a scooter. Sure, there are rivals like the ID.3 or Mini Electric, but the 208 blends that French charm with practical punch. It’s not perfect – boot space is still modest, and range dips a bit in the cold – but in a sea of identikit EVs, it stands out as the charming rebel.
In short, the new electric Peugeot 208 proves small and silent doesn’t mean boring. It’s a car that invites you to drive, to enjoy, and maybe even fall a little in love with electric motoring. If you’re ready to make the switch, you can also head to our marketplace where you can search and buy electric cars (100 % electric). Take a look at https://volty.be/nl/buy/cars/overview/ – who knows, you might soon be piloting your own quiet genius.
