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CCar experts aren't supposed to pay attention to the paint color of the vehicle being evaluated, but sometimes an exception has to be made. Like when everyone is talking about something. Casual conversations with friends and neighbors about the new Peugeot E-308 would start with a compliment about the gorgeous deep, forest green color it came in.
Sometimes the conversation ended there, too, because the second question was about money and referred to the list price. I usually warned people to sit down when I told them the cost of this conventionally branded five-door, five-seat, all-electric hatchback: £43,020, as it stood before them in all its green beauty. But, as I will explain, they don’t need to pay that amount right now…
Officially called “Verde Olivino” in Peugeot’s colour chart, this shade is actually very attractive and complements the car’s curves perfectly. It is not, as has been said, necessarily a cheap car, but it does at least look sharp. It has just the right amount of muscular curves sculpted into its flanks and gloss black bodywork to avoid looking too sporty and pretentious, while still retaining a resemblance to earlier, more bland versions of the 308 and a family-friendly look that it shares with the smaller 208 and e-208 models.
Much like the latest Nissan Qashqai facelift, for example, the current generation of Peugeot models features sleek, full-width grilles, with matte silver accents and slim LED light arrays that add to the sophisticated, updated look.
As a whole, it works very well and Peugeot, the leading brand in the now vast Stellantis empire, is experiencing a bit of a renaissance. They've made a real effort on the looks and the interior is equally impressive.
The E-308 comes very well equipped as standard and the cabin is a model of good taste. I don't think the stitching on the dashboard is hand-made, but the green threads add a nice touch of quality.
Beneath all this is the standard Stellantis electric tailgate kit and controls for the automatic transmission, electric brake and driving modes, which will be very familiar to anyone who has driven a recent model Citroen, a smaller Jeep, a Vauxhall, a Fiat or a DS.
Personally, I'd prefer a proper additional head-up display, where essential speed information and sat-nav directions are projected onto the windscreen (as if you were on the road), rather than Peugeot's signature “i-Cockpit”, which places the main dials in a tall binnacle, slightly obscured by the steering wheel.
The 308 is also available in plug-in hybrid and petrol guise, but it’s the battery-electric version that delivers the near-silent ambience that complements the car’s smooth ride. Performance is brisk rather than searing, but again, that suits the car’s pleasant, reassuring character. It’s a car that borders on snooty, to be honest, but it has plenty to brag about.
THE SPECIFICATION
Peugeot E-308 GT
Price: £43,020 (as tested; electric range starts at £42,120)
Engine capacity: Single electric motor, front-wheel drive powered by 54 kWh battery
Force: 153 HP
Maximum speed: 106 mph
0-60 mph: 9.8 seconds
Fuel economy: 3.8 million kWh
CO2 emissions: 0
The downside is the boot, which is smaller than in the hybrid and petrol versions, and part of it is occupied by the battery. I should also mention the range, which I consider realistically between 290 and 320 kilometres, depending on the climate and driving style (electric vehicles are sensitive to these factors).
It takes around eight hours to fully charge it at home, but just half an hour to top up to 80 per cent capacity on a commercial rapid charger. It's not as good as VW Group rivals such as the Cupra Born, Kia Niro, BYD Dolphin or MG4, but it's still competitive.
So it's all pretty attractive… but the price? Well, there are bargains to be had, because there's a bit of politically motivated disarray in the new EV market at the moment. For example, I've seen Carwow offering these E-308s for around £29,000, and ones that must be very lightly used for £24,000. These prices won't last forever, though. Just make sure you find one in Olivine Green.
