Peugeot e-Traveller Business VIP Long (2020 - 2024)

The e-Traveller is the largest van-based people carrier in Peugeot’s line-up and comes in Standard 4.95-metre or Long 5.3-metre guise depending on the wheelbase length with the capability to carry up to nine occupants.

It is fully electrified and customers can specify between two well-equipped trim grades called Business and Business VIP and, with its zero emissions, along with more and more Ultra Low Emission Zones springing up, it’s ideal for the likes of airport runs.

However, it features a relatively small 50kWh battery pack and that restricts its driving range between charges to 148 miles – that’s without any higher-speed motorway miles which will result in a far lower range.

We opted for the e-Traveller Business VIP Long for our test drive and were pleasantly surprised by the agility of this giant people mover.

First impressions of the Peugeot e-Traveller is that it resembles a van and that’s that. But in fairness to Peugeot, the interior and driving experience is anything but van-like.

It is very boxy in its design to meet its purpose in life which is based on practicality rather than dynamics. But it does have a strong road presence, especially with Nera Black paintwork such as our test model.

It features sweeping light clusters with an LED light signature, large side steps, sliding doors, a heavy, large tailgate and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Climb onboard using the grab handles and side steps if necessary and the interior is exceptionally spacious. Our vehicle had seven seats, but the e-Traveller can be specified to carry from four to nine occupants.

The driver’s seat is power-operated making it quick and easy to find a comfortable driving position and there is ample steering wheel adjustment available too. The cockpit has a fairly basic and slightly bland appearance, but there are a number of creature comforts to explore. A seven-inch touchscreen offers access to the navigation system, Bluetooth, DAB radio, smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus lots more besides and there is voice recognition to assist with certain functions too.

Behind the steering wheel all the vital driving data is displayed on a large screen and you can keep a watchful eye on speed, battery levels and, most importantly, the driving range.

There are window blinds for second row occupants, heated front seats, plus rows two and three have their own climate controls settings.

On the downside, there is a lot of hard plastic that will likely prove prone to scratching and give the vehicle a worn and aged appearance long before its time.

The Peugeot e-Traveller features a 50kWh battery pack and has an official driving range of 148 miles under WLTP testing. While this range is fine in and around town with lots of regenerative braking, if you venture onto a motorway it drops like a stone and that’s without any passengers or luggage on board.

With 136hp and 260Nm of torque, the acceleration is smooth and responsive through the single speed automatic transmission and the MPV can complete the 0-60mph dash in a respectable 10.8 seconds, topping out at 81mph. 

A B mode helps to maximise the energy recouped under braking and there are drive modes called Eco, Normal and Power that alter the handling quite considerably. In Eco, the power, speed and climate control are restricted to increase efficiency. However, switch across to Power and you get a much livelier performance, albeit at the price of the fast-dropping range.

The vehicle is very capable on motorways and also when faced with country lanes where it coped well with any twists and turns. In fact, it was surprising just how agile and manoeuvrable it was, especially in busy town centres. The e-Traveller may look very much like a van, but it certainly doesn’t drive like one.

Ride quality is good with the suspension set-up smoothing out any bumps and dips in the road, while occupants are also well protected from outside noise intrusion in this refined and comfortable cabin environment.

The Peugeot e-Traveller is a five-door people carrier that is available with a range of seat configurations to suit requirements. Our test model was a seven-seater with seats in a two, two, three format. The pair of second row seats could be removed, reversed and a table could be raised for family get-togethers. But that said; the seats are quite heavy so it would be advisable for two people to attack the task of lifting and turning them.

Our Long version looked quite imposing stretching 5,309mm in length, 2,204mm across (with mirrors) and 1,890mm tall with the longer wheelbase at 3,275mm.

The electric sliding side doors can be operated via the handles, key fob, or controls on the dashboard and there is a handy button in the door frame to close the doors automatically too.

Gaining access to the trio of rear seats is a simple process with the seats in row two sliding and folding forwards and there are grab handles along with a wide side step to help too.

Storage space depends on how many seats are in an upright position, but make sure you have plenty of room to open the ultra-large and quite heavy tailgate. There will always be room to stack some suitcases even when all seats are in use and there are numerous handy storage compartments throughout the vehicle, including deep door bins, a glovebox, a covered compartment on top of the dash, seat back nets, four cup holders, plus fold-out trays for passengers in the second row. 

Charging the 50kWh battery from 10 to 80 per cent via a 100kW fast charger takes just 30 minutes, or a 0 to 100 per cent charge can be completed via a 11kW wallbox in five hours, while the same boost is achieved in seven-and-a-half hours using a 7.4kW box.

The Peugeot e-Traveller line-up starts from £42,935 for the Standard model in entry-level Business grade and at the top of the scale is the Business VIP model in Long wheelbase, as tested, and this costs £49,685. Our test vehicle featured a couple of optional extras, including metallic paint (£650) and a VIP Pack that upgraded the seats in row two and added a table to the mix. This pack costs an extra £550.

With zero carbon emissions, there is no road tax bill to pay on the Peugeot e-Traveller and it is also exempt from any Congestion Charge or low emission zone fees. Well, for now anyway as the Government will be removing many incentives for EV-owners in 2025. In addition, when those new measures come into force, buyers will also be subject to a £40k premium car levy for five years which will bump up costs further.

With airport runs a viable possibility, the vehicle is an attractive choice for business buyers who will profit from the Benefit in Kind tax rating of just two per cent. In addition, they would be looking to claim back the £8,121 VAT on the test model.

The e-Traveller comes with a standard three-year, unlimited mileage warranty, although the battery is guaranteed to deliver 70 per cent capacity for eight years or 100,000 miles.

People carriers seem to be making quite a revival these days, especially fully electrified ones. Peugeot’s latest contender certainly ticks a lot of boxes with plenty of choice in style, seating configuration and wheelbase lengths.

All models are well equipped and drive far better than you would think, but we believe the low range from the small battery pack could be a deterrent for some potential buyers.