The new Peugeot e-Rifter MPV gets more range and tech

It’s been two years since the Rifter was given the electric treatment. Now the second-gen e-Rifter, sibling to the Citroen e-Berlingo and Vauxhall Combo Life, has arrived with new styling, obvious battery improvements and more tech.

The first update to the e-Rifter is the tweaked front end. A new grille pulls in Peugeot’s new shield-based badge. A more contemporary bumper and streaky front headlights – the brand refers to as ‘claws’ – completes the look.

The second change is the increase in range. Despite the battery remaining at 50kWh, the range is up from 171 miles to 199 miles (though Stellantis is still waiting on WLTP certification there.) Power output stays at 134bhp with the torque delivery capable of the same 191lb ft.

The e-Rifter can be five- or seven-seater, putting it at the top of this superlative list. So, while range improvements are welcomed, we’re still in Camp Should-Have-Even-More-Range for the kind of ‘multi-purpose leisure’ lifestyle the e-Rifter is aimed at. But more is more, right? More is good.

Next up is the tech – also, more. Truth is, the e-Rifter always had our vote over its EMP2 platform-sharing stablemates named above. It’s as close to a cooler crossover/SUV thing as you’re gonna get and it has Peugeot’s fancy iCockpit interior – total extra when up against the likes of an e-Berlingo or Combo Life.

Naturally, there’s an ever-expansive suite of 18 driver assist features, which now include driver drowsiness alert, lane keep assist and autonomous emergency braking (required on all new cars by law since July 2022). They join keyless entry, adaptive cruise control and park assist tech to name but a few, in the fight to keep you safe and sound.

There are also remote updates, a cow-covered heated steering wheel and a digital assistant you can shout ‘Okay Peugeot’ at, for a smidge of, er, pizzazz.

Charging times remain as before, so 7.5 hours for a full 0-100 per cent on a normal home charger, or 30 minutes 0-80 per cent if you can find a 100kW ultra-rapid charge point out in the wild – it’s getting easier, we promise.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has made a fair bit of noise about the lack of passenger car incentives for drivers wishing to switch to electric. Because the e-Rifter's based on a van, one might think it should benefit from the £2,500 discount Plug-In-Vehicle Grant (PIVG). Sady, it doesn't.

Prices for the new e-Rifter haven't been confirmed yet, but should be in the £30-32,000 ballpark if present model tags are anything to go by. We'll keep you posted.