Peugeot mulling electric-only 208 in Australia

The Peugeot 2008 SUV could get an all-electric little brother.

The208 city hatchback is still on the cards for Australia, but it could be electric-only when it arrives.

Peugeot Australia this morning confirmed the “208 is under consideration for local potential, and more likely as a full electric than internal-combustion” car.

Earlier reports indicated the 208 would touch down in Australia during 2020. Instead, the compact 2008 SUV and updated 308 hatch will lead the charge at the bottom end of the Peugeot range.

Were the e-208 to come Down Under, it would go head-to-head with the Mini Electric.

The battery-powered French hatchback has a claimed range of 340km on the more stringent WLTP test cycle from its 50kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

It’s not ready to lock in the electric 208 just yet, but Peugeot has confirmed its move towards electrification will start with plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, though it hasn’t confirmed which.

It comes as light car sales continue to trend downwards. Year-to-date, total light car sales in Australia are down 46.3 per cent.

Even pre-COVID, the segment was declining – last year, for example, light car sales were down 17.3 per cent.

In contrast, small SUV sales were flat last year. While not terrific news for automakers, it’s a more promising segment for Peugeot.

The company has launched its second-generation 2008, which will do double duty with the 308 as the brand’s entry-level offerings in Australia.