Peugeot will also electrify the new 308. The CEO Jean Philippe Imparato reveals in an interview that the French Carmaker is planning to launch a plug-in hybrid version. However, a purely electric version could follow later. Peugeot also wants to become increasingly electric with other models.

In an interaction with the media, Imparato confirms that the next generation of the 308 compact models will, as expected, be based on the EMP2 platform for the PSA Group. The Opel Grandland X was the first to use EMP2. And integration of EMP2 into Peugeot enables the company to release two PHEV versions. Besides, they will also have an internal combustion engine and an electric motor on the front axle as the front-wheel-drive version. Additionally, they will have an extra electric motor at the rear as the all-wheel-drive version.

Peugeot Disclosing Its Future Plan of Action

Nevertheless, Imparato made the surprising statement that a plug-in hybrid would come first. And, later the 308 could be fitted with a fully electric drive train. PSA has yet to announce a pure BEV based on EMP2. The French Company reveals that it will first release PHEV for models like the 308, large SUV 3008 and the mid-range sedan 508. Peugeot’s compact and midsize cars will have plug-in hybrid drivetrains because it’s a smoother way to switch from internal combustion to electric. Imparato says.

Likewise, Peugeot is feeling the increasing demand for all-electric cars. 12% of the 12,000 orders for the 208 to date have been for the electric version in France alone. These are real orders and not reservations according to Imparato. The Peugeot brand boss also said that they don’t know what the global mix will be. But if they are around 4% to 5% electric in a country such as Italy, it will help average the emissions in Europe. Change is coming as lots of customers are now asking for electric vehicles. The boss comments.

Company’s Plans to Hike Sales

Imparato says in the interview that the company is targeting 15% to 20% of total orders based on a similar TCO between the plug-in hybrid and a 180-hp diesel with an automatic transmission. Because these two versions will compete in the fleet market. For Peugeot, the increasing customer interest in electric cars comes at just the right time. Because the new EU CO2 regulations released will also play a major role in the French Company. Imparato confirmed its recent statement that Peugeot would comply with the rules from January and would not have to pay a single euro of CO2 road payments to the EU. However, he also said that Peugeot is preparing for this situation for months, monitoring every high-emissions car that is in stock or at the dealer network.

Focus Shifts to Electrifying the Brand

Newer EU regulations couldn’t only kill the big gas guzzlers, but also the cheap small cars. The expensive conversion to modern exhaust technology isn’t worthwhile for price-sensitive models. Peugeot offers the 108 together with Citroen and Toyota. Emission regulations have hit the segment hard because the cost of compliance is disproportionately high – says Imparato.

Toyota’s European boss Johan Van Zyl had recently indicated that the next-gen of the Aygo could appear as an electric car. Citroen brand manager Linda Jackson had also already made a similar statement about the future of the C1 in 2018. Now the Peugeot brand manager is also speaking in a similar direction. Expressing his feeling, Imparato says the company can’t leave the segment at the moment and want to be the best high-end volume brand but in the long-term. Planning of rolling out electrified 308 and other variants will be 100% electric or disappear in the coming days.

It’s not only in the small car segment that Imparato is fully committed to EVs. Paying attention to the global vision, the brand is concentrating more on electrifying Peugeot in Europe. However, it must increase the company’s overall sales to better balance the regional mix – says the Peugeot boss. Similarly in China, Peugeot also develops a one-tonne pickup jointly with Dongfeng that will soon be added to the range.

In the interview, however, the PSA manager rejected a potential new model in Europe – a series version of the e-Legend concept, which was shown in the style of the 504 Coupe from the 1970s. Although the feedback was very good, according to Imparato, the development to series maturity would cost around 250 million euros. Seeing this, the company plans to deal with the switch first and later see if it’s worth spending the money. The CEO concludes with this statement.

What do you guys think about Peugeot’s plan? Will it able to compete in the EV race? Do let us know in the comment section.