Peugeot is entering the C-segment electric hatch market with a fully electrified version of its popular 308 hatch. Offering a range of almost 250 miles, it’ll also be available in SW form – making Peugeot one of the very few carmakers offering a fully electric estate in Europe.

Until this announcement, the Peugeot 308 was available as a PHEV, but with the e-308 variant, Peugeot is joining the fully electric market with its popular family hatch and estate. Based on Stellantis Group’s EMP2 architecture, the Peugeot e-308 looks almost identical to the PHEV and conventionally powered versions of the car which is no bad thing to our mind.

Powertrain and performance

The all-electric Peugeot e-308 hatch and e-308 SW estate are both powered by a 156bhp motor which drives the front wheels and should offer ample performance in acceleration terms, albeit Peugeot is yet to reveal performance stats. A 54kWh battery, of which 51kWh is useable, is said to be more efficient than the 50kWh unit found in other fully electric Peugeots like the e-208 and e-2008 thanks to a new chemical composition.

As a result of this, the e-308 is good for 248 miles on the WLTP cycle, giving an official 4.9 miles per kWh which is well up there in the efficiency stakes. Charging can be undertaken at up to 100kW meaning 20 to 80 per cent can be achieved in less than 25 minutes. The on-board charger is good for 11kW, whilst three driving modes and a ‘Brake’ mode enable drivers to change the car to suit their needs and dial in more regenerative braking.

Exterior Styling

Peugeot hasn’t mixed up what is an already successful recipe on the styling front. The e-308 looks much the same as other models in the range, with the brand’s three-claw rear lights and other characteristic design features.

Where the Peugeot e-308 does stand out is in the provision of an estate version in the form of the e-308 SW, which joins the MG 5 as one of the few electric estate cars available for sale in the UK and Europe. This should mean a luggage capacity of between 550 and 600 litres with the seats in place, and around 1575 litres with them stowed, meaning the e-308 has more space than most C-segment SUVs.

Interior Styling and Tech

Once again, Peugeot hasn’t rocked the boat and inside, the e-308 is broadly the same as equivalent cars in the range. It’ll be offered in Allure and GT trim levels and depending on the level specified, features the latest generation i-Cockpit, a compact heated steering wheel, digital head-up display and a central 10 inch touchscreen. Peugeot’s i-Connect infotainment alongside i-toggle switches and materials which are much improved from Peugeots of old top off the interior space.

Driving aids include adaptive cruise control with stop and go, long-range blind spot monitoring and rear traffic alert.

Price and availability

The Peugeot e-308 will be available to buy from the second half of 2023 here in the UK. We’ll report on prices and finalised specifications as soon as we have them.