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PSA Group goes electric at CV show

Electric Citroën Relay and Peugeot Boxer variants make debut.

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PSA Group has unveiled Peugeot and Citroën badged LCVs at the CV Show in Birmingham.

The Peugeot Boxer and Citroën Relay electric models are both receiving their world debuts at the show, being held at the National Exhibition Centre between 30th April and 2nd May.

The two form part of the previously announced PSA Group electrification strategy, which will see all vehicles – passenger and commercial – offered with an electrified variant by 2023.

As an example of the new possibilities offered by the electrified range Citroën will offer the electric Relay in L1H1 or L3H2 and L3 chassis cab designations, with payload capability of up to 1255kg – mounting the battery packs under the floor ensures that the load space is unchanged.

NEDC ranges are predicted at 159 miles for longer variants and 141 miles for shorter models – PSA will issue more detailed information later in 2019 following homologation and prior to launch.

Unveiling the two vehicles, PSA Group Head of Electric Helen Lees said that the new vehicles were an answer to such recent moves as the Ultra Low Emission Zone introduced in London – an initiative she expected would be followed by other cities.

While adding that with Euro-6 complaint engines the PSA range is exempt from the low-emission charge, Lees said that such initiatives are causing LCV customers to demand more choice than traditional diesel and petrol models.

Mobile offices

She added that many customers only travel short distances in their vans, using them more as mobile offices and workshops, and these customers are expected to be most interested in the electric variants.

“PSA Group has made a very strong commitment to every new model launched from 2019 including a full-electric or plug-in hybrid variant,” she said. “that means by 2025 there will be an electrified model in every single PSA automotive brand.

“This applies to our light-commercials and means we will launch new electric models in addition to the Peugeot Partner and Citroën Berlingo Electric vans we sell currently. Our customers don’t have to wait for a new generation of Citroën Relay or Peugeot Boxer to get a zero-emission drivetrain.”

Andrew Charman
Andrew Charman
Andrew is the News and Road Test Editor for The Van Expert. He is a member of the Guild of Motoring Writers, and has been testing and writing about new cars and vans for more than 20 years, and attends many new model launches each year.