New Peugeot E-408 brings EV power and 281-mile range to the chic fastback

• New fully-electric powertrain option
• 58kWh battery and 281-mile range
• On sale before the end of 2024

It’s been two years since Peugeot pulled the covers off its sleek family fastback, and it’s now unveiled a fully-electric version – the new Peugeot E-408. It’s one of the last models in Peugeot’s lineup to receive the EV treatment, offering customers family-car space, coupe-esque looks and a silent, emissions-free driving experience.

Coupe SUVs are a polarising – but popular – modern car body style, and fully-electric rivals include cars like the Skoda Enyaq Coupe, Cupra Tavascan and the upcoming Ford Capri. Pricing is still to be confirmed, but we wouldn’t expect much change from £45,000 when it goes on sale before the end of the year. 

What’s new for the Peugeot E-408?

Peugeot may have only added one extra letter to the Peugeot 408’s name, but that ‘E’ represents a big change under the skin. In line with the French marque’s naming strategy, the E-408 is fully electric, utilising the tried-and-tested technology found in other EVs from parent-brand Stellantis.

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In place of the regular 408’s petrol-hybrid engine, you’ll find a 207bhp electric motor driving the front wheels. Power is supplied by a 58kWh battery – bigger than the 54kWh unit found in the E-308, but considerably smaller than the 98kWh battery available in the E-3008 Long Range. As a result, the E-408’s 281-mile range sits between the two – the E-308 tops out at 257 miles, while the E-3008 can manage up to a mighty 435 miles. Still, that should be enough for most family car drivers who only cover an average of 28 miles a day, according to Peugeot.

When you do run low on charge, you’ll be able to top up using a rapid charger at speeds of up to 120kW, allowing for a 20-80% top up in just over 30 minutes. Home charging is handled by an 11kW on-board AC charger, plus all E-408s get a heat pump fitted as standard, helping to preserve range in the colder months. There’s regenerative braking, too, to help recover energy that would otherwise be lost when slowing down, which can be adjusted via the steering-wheel mounted paddles. 

Performance figures are yet to be confirmed, but we expect the E-408 to be a bit nippier than its mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid siblings, which have always felt a bit sluggish.

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What Peugeot hasn’t changed is the styling, which, depending on your view of the regular 408, may not be a bad thing. The standard 408 was already a handsome machine, with a chiselled front end and an unusual half-coupe, half-SUV profile. The E-408 gets the same claw-like daytime-running lights, a body-coloured grille, and a practical hatchback boot opening. Peugeot’s designers haven’t fiddled with the interior either – it still features the i-Cockpit dashboard layout with an optional 3D display and a mixture of fabric, mesh and Alcantara upholstery.

How much does the Peugeot E-408 cost and when can I buy one?

UK pricing for the Peugeot E-408 hasn’t been announced yet, but we’d expect an uplift over the current range-topping 408 plug-in hybrid. That model costs from around £41,000, so we wouldn’t be surprised if the E-408 commands closer to £45,000. UK customers will be able to place an order before the end of the year, with initial deliveries expected in early 2025.
You can find out more about our favourite electric family cars here…