Peugeot 208, 2008 Electric Versions Arriving in 2020

PSA Group, the company behind Peugeot, will push through with its plans to release two electric vehicles (EVs) by 2020. Instead of coming up with two new models, the electric vehicles will be based on existing ones, namely, the Peugeot 208 and the Peugeot 2008.

The 208 is one of Peugeot's most popular vehicles--the hatchback sold north of 240,000 in Europe alone. With the soon-to-be-released electric version, the French car brand hopes to enhance the model's appeal even further.

The fully electric 208 should arrive some time in 2019. According to PSA Group, the 2019 208 EV will have a zero-emissions range capability of about 300 kilometers.

The 208 going electric is a result of the subcompact model taking the Common Modular Platform (CMP) route, which will be the backbone for the model’s next generation. The 208 EV was done in collaboration with Chinese car manufacturer Dongfeng Motors.

Other soon-to-be-released EVs in the works include the Peugeot 2008 small SUV and the DS3 light car, part of Peugeot's DS luxury line. The current models for the 208 and 2008 are available in the local market.

The Peugeot 2008's electric version is set for a 2020 release.

Meanwhile, other models will also receive the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) treatment in the following years, including the 5008, 3008, and DS7 Crossback. Other marques under the PSA Group will also  provide EV and PHEV options for some of their models. This includes Citroen's C5 Aircross SUVs and the Opel and Vauxhall’s Grandland X crossovers.

Carlos Tavares, CEO of the PSA Group, announced earlier that the company targets to have 80 percent of its line electrified by 2023. Part of this plan includes seven PHEVs and four new EVs by 2021.

The PSA Group's move toward electrification is driven by their home country's bid to ban internal combustion engine vehicles altogether by 2040. Other European cities have also pledged to restrict the use of gas-powered vehicles that emit more than what the European Union allows.