Peugeot delays electric-car plans in Australia, axes all plug-in hybrids
Peugeot Australia has slowed its electric-car rollout – and axed its plug-in hybrid range – amid slow sales that prompted discounts of up to $30,000.
Peugeot Australia has scaled back its electric-vehicle (EV) roll-out plans – including a Tesla Model Y rival now on the back burner – and will drop all plug-in hybrid models from its line-up.
The French car maker announced today that every model it sells – excluding vans – would introduce mild-hybrid petrol power by the end of next year.
However, it will spell the end for Peugeot's plug-in hybrid range, comprised of four models in showrooms for less than three years, and will drastically scale back its electric-car plans.
Among them is a decision to delay the E-3008 mid-size electric SUV to next year – at the earliest – with plans for the E-208 city hatch and E-308 small hatch also seemingly on the back burner.
Peugeot sales are down 9.2 per cent so far this year – in a market up 6 per cent – and its deliveries have been in decline for 12 of the past 15 years.
This Peugeot news follows sister brand Citroen announcing last month it would end Australian sales of new vehicles this November, amid a similar sales decline.
Earlier this year, Peugeot rolled out discounts of up to $30,000 on slow-selling models – including the 508 sedan and wagon, which is only sold as a plug-in hybrid and will now be axed.
After stock of the pre-update e-2008 electric small SUV sold out earlier this year, Peugeot currently sells only two electric models in Australia, the E-Expert and E-Partner vans.
It was due to add three models by the end of this year – the E-208, E-308 and E-3008 – but has now confirmed its electric range will not expand until 2025.
The company has declined to name the electric cars it plans to introduce next year.
Peugeot Australia said in a media statement it has "revised the timeline for the introduction of future electric vehicles" due to a "rapidly evolving and dynamic" electric-car market.
It may be a reference to sweeping price cuts in recent months for rival electric cars, including $10,000 off the most affordable MG 4 hatch in recent days, and a series of Tesla RRP reductions in the first half of this year.
Peugeot cut the price of the e-2008 small electric SUV by $25,000 as part of a limited-time promotion earlier this year, with stock selling out three days after the deal received media attention.
"We continue to closely monitor the electric vehicle market in Australia and remain committed to our electrification journey," a Peugeot Australia spokesperson told Drive.
"In addition to the expanding Hybrid range, this includes bringing the best range of 100 per cent electric vehicles to the Australian market commencing from 2025," the spokesperson said.
"Although we’re not in a position to comment specifically on individual vehicles, we look forward to sharing more information on our future electric vehicle plans in due course."
The company's new 'hybrid' range comprises a series of mild-hybrid models, combining small turbo-petrol engines with electric motors which can provide a small boost under acceleration.
The Peugeot technology is one of the few mild-hybrid system designs that can drive the wheels on electric power alone at low speeds.
The new Peugeot 3008 mid-size SUV is due early next year with mild-hybrid power, ahead of similar versions of the 308 hatch, 408 'crossover' sedan, 2008 small SUV and 5008 seven-seater due by the end of 2025.
Pure petrol versions of the 308, 2008 and 5008 will be dropped, as will the 3008 and 408 plug-in hybrids, to meet "evolving consumer preferences and new Australian regulations."
Peugeot launched its first plug-in hybrid in Australia early in 2022, and last year introduced its first electric vehicle – while axing diesel power from its passenger-car and SUV line-up.
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