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In these times of mounting environmental crisis, businesses are becoming more aware of their carbon footprint, and thus reconsidering the sustainability of their commercial vehicles. Fortunately, with the electric van market growing exponentially over the past few years, there are a vast range of battery-powered vehicles on offer to professionals that are swiftly making diesel engines a thing of the past. Despite this, of course, making the switch from diesel to electric is no easy choice, and it’s important to be aware of the pros and cons of both fuel types in order to make an informed decision.
Now in its fifth generation, the Peugeot Boxer has absolutely dominated the large van market since 2006, and its Dropside variant is no exception. Due to its widespread popularity, unsurprisingly the Boxer Dropside received an electric conversion in 2022. Aside from the fact that this means that Peugeot now sell an electric variant of every van in makes – a great step forward for sustainability in the automobile industry – but it also allows long-time fans of the classic Boxer Dropside to upgrade to a more environmentally-friendly version of their trusty van, if they so please. If you’re stuck between the two, however, read on to find out everything you need to know about the diesel and electric models of Peugeot’s Boxer Dropside.
Engines and Spec
Let’s start by taking a look beneath the bonnet of these two vans. As of 2019, the traditional Boxer Dropside comes fitted with a 2.2-litre BlueHDi engine in order to comply with the Euro 6.2 emissions regulations that were introduced in September of that year. There are two power outputs available – 120hp / 310Nm and 140hp / 350Nm – and the only gearbox option is a six-speed transmission. Overall, the engines are willing and more than capable of keeping pace with motorway traffic, and the turning circle and general manoeuvrability are impressive for a van of its size. On the subject of size, with the largest single cab model having a load length of 3644mm and a payload rating of 1,366kg, the Boxer Dropside is highly capable of transporting bulky equipment or deliveries.
In the e-Boxer, replacing the diesel engine is a 90kW electric motor, powered by either 37kWh or 75kWh battery packs. Due to the fact that the battery is mounted underneath the floor, load capacity is in no way affected, meaning that the e-Boxer Dropside is just as capable as its diesel counterpart in this respect. In terms of driving range, Peugeot projects 154 miles per charge for the 75kWh battery, and 73 miles for the smaller 37kWh battery. If you can source a 50kW DC rapid charger, both battery packs can be charged to 80% in an hour. However, when using a more common 7.4kW charger, you’ll need 6 hours for the 37kWh battery and 12 hours for the 75kWh to reach 100%.
Interior
Let’s now take a look inside the cabin of these two vans. As with the exterior, inside no one can deny that both models are well-designed and impressively refined – as to be expected after the Boxer line’s many facelifts over the years. Naturally, however, there are some minor differences between the two, which we will highlight below.
Both the diesel Boxer and e-Boxer offer a spacious cab that comfortably houses all three passengers. Middle seat passengers will be particularly grateful that the gear lever is close to the steering wheel, leaving them plenty of knee-room. Drivers will also find that this positioning makes it easy to manage the shift mechanism. The driver’s seat offers plenty of adjustability, and the in-cab storage is relatively generous – with plenty of cubbies dotted around the cabin and an overhead bin available in some models. A simple infotainment system adorns the centre of the dashboard, which includes a sat-nav.
The e-Boxer boasts all of the features listed above, but of course alterations have been made to accommodate the electric motor. As such, the rev counter, fuel gauge and temperature gauge have been removed, and all of the electric drive information – including battery charge and remaining driving range – is instead conveniently
shown on a new digital display incorporated into the rearview mirror. The gear selection is operated by a push-button system – another neat feature.
The Verdict/Snap shot
As a whole, both the Boxer Dropside and e-Boxer Dropside are both highly strong and capable vehicles which boast efficiency, practicality and comfort. Although there isn’t a clear winner, after reading this review you are now hopefully a little more clued up on which is best suited to your requirements.
If you’d like to find out more about what the Peugeot Boxer Dropside and Peugeot e-Boxer Dropside have to offer, Vanaways are here to help. Both the diesel and electric models are available for outright purchase, as well as contract hire, from us at highly competitive prices. We also include free UK delivery with every transaction. For more information, please get in touch with us today.
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