The new Peugeot 3008, which has been on the market for a few months, is doing rather well. The new generation of the lion brand's best-seller has a lot of pressure on its shoulders. But, of the 50,000 orders placed, only 25% are for the 100% electric version. We met with several owners of the new 3008 to understand their choice.
A good start for the new 3008
By renewing its 3008, Peugeot is playing big. In just a few years, the model has become one of the French people's favorite SUVs. With this new design, the lion brand seems to have made no mistake. The first customers are there and the manufacturer announces that it has already passed the 50,000 order mark. A first symbolic milestone, "well above the objectives", according to the company's press release.
When we look at the figures in detail, we see that the electric 3008 represents "only" 25% of sales. This is not ridiculous, but it is quite far from the real ambitions of the manufacturer, which plans to switch to 100% electric by 2030. Since Peugeot still gives its customers the choice of engine, we wanted to understand why only 25% of customers have chosen electric.
With the new 3008, consumers have 3 options: mild-hybrid (136 hp), plug-in hybrid (195 hp) or 100% electric (210 hp). In terms of prices, the electric is the most expensive. It is available from 44,990 euros. The plug-in hybrid model starts at 42,990 euros, while the mild hybrid is sold from 38,490 euros. An argument that certainly tips the balance.
Why mild-hybrid rather than electric?
But it’s not the only one. We spoke with several owners to understand their motivations. Roger, 71, chose a mild-hybrid version. “This is my sixth 3008, four of which have had the PureTech engine,” he explains. When I ask him why he chose this version rather than an electric one, his answer is categorical: “I’m not in favor of electric like most of the people I know.”
According to him, the main problem is the "lack of autonomy, recharging, weight and the much too high cost of electric cars". He adds that he will certainly never switch to electric. At least that's clear! And his testimony reflects the concerns of most motorists. The main obstacles remain the autonomy, the fear of breaking down and the recharging methods.
After a few weeks at the wheel of his new 3008 mild-hybrid, Roger is very satisfied. "Very nice line, the interior is spacious, the 136 hp engine works well. It's enough for this model. I'm not a big driver, I only do 10,000 km per year. It's a car that makes a lot of people stop in parking lots as I was able to see this weekend at the seaside", he tells me.
We also spoke with Julien, owner of a 3008 with the same engine. A tough blow for this driver who only drove 140 km before his SUV broke down. He explains to me that “the original gearbox was defective. It was changed once, but the new gearbox would also be defective”. Despite everything, he remains hopeful and does not regret his choice.
Autonomy: still the same obstacle to electric?
For his part, Jacques, 52, an executive in a logistics company, chose the plug-in hybrid version of the new 3008. "Having already owned several Peugeot models, including a thermal 3008, I was curious to see what the new generation of plug-in hybrid could offer". He looks back at the different criteria taken into account when making his choice. According to him, "the ecological aspect" comes first.
"I wanted to reduce my carbon footprint while keeping the flexibility of a hybrid vehicle. With the plug-in hybrid 3008, I found the perfect compromise. In the city, I can drive in pure electric mode, which is ideal for my daily journeys. On the motorway, the thermal engine takes over, providing a range that allows me to travel without stress".
A resident of Normandy, the fifty-year-old tells me that “cost was also an important factor. Although the plug-in hybrid model is more expensive to buy than the mild-hybrid, I think the savings on fuel make up for this difference. By using mainly electric mode, I save on petrol”. He adds that he has not even thought about the 100% electric version.
“Too restrictive”, according to him. The issues of autonomy and charging speed remain points of concern for him. Aware that charging infrastructures are increasingly developing, he believes that this is not enough. “I am not prepared to wait 30 or 40 minutes at the charging station for my vehicle to recharge to 80%. That is not my idea of travel”.
Choosing hybrid while waiting for electric to progress?
For Christophe, the happy owner of a 100% electric 3008, several types of people choose the hybrid version. “Those who drive more than 500 km per day on the highway, those who are afraid and think that recharging an electric vehicle takes too long, or those who think that a car that doesn’t run on gasoline isn’t a real car.”
He also believes that some motorists are influenced by anti-electric car campaigners on social media, or "because of the press that highlights sensational headlines, like: electric car batteries catch fire, they'll never sell, etc." Last hypothesis: customers who chose the 3008 hybrid "are waiting to see if the guinea pigs who drive electric cars don't have too many problems."
The 100% electric version has some good arguments
I also spoke with Hattab, 45, a digital designer for a famous ready-to-wear bag brand. He is one of the French people who chose the new 3008 in the 100% electric version. Owner of the SUV since mid-June, he told me that he made this choice for several reasons. The first is ecological: "respect for the environment. It became important to me when my first daughter was born."
Hattab is looking to reduce his carbon footprint. "I do it every day in my various choices, so it's important to do it with my everyday vehicle." Second argument: silence. This Parisian resident particularly appreciates the quiet and smooth driving offered by electric cars. For once, the 3008 offers a truly soothing interior, without any vibration.
Last point: "the maintenance and use costs are generally lower on electric vehicles, because they require less maintenance and electricity is less expensive than gasoline or diesel." Enough to definitively convince this new owner. "Today, the price of a recharge only costs me about ten euros compared to more than 100 when I had a thermal vehicle," he tells me.
When I ask him why the majority of French people have chosen hybrid rather than electric, he believes that there are two main reasons: "autonomy and the availability of charging stations". In his circle of acquaintances, some people "are still looking to get to their destination as quickly as possible. Most people want to be able to drive for 4 or 5 hours without stopping and fill up in three minutes to set off again".
Before adding that "when electric cars allow you to go 500 km in five minutes, everyone will switch to electric". He wants to tell me how satisfied he is with his new car. He hesitated between the Audi Q4 e-tron, a BMW iX2 and Tesla Model Y. But during the test, the e-3008 came out on top. Hattab also believes that "the Tesla SUV was well below the other 3 models".
The only criticism for the 3008: the charging curve. This is, in fact, a negative point that we also noted on this vehicle. Peugeot's SUV only receives 160 kW of maximum power, and its curve drops very quickly after 30%. On a fast terminal, it takes 40 minutes to go from 10 to 80%. This is still too long for a vehicle that should be able to allow us to cross France.
The big jump: from the thermal 3008 to the e-3008
I also spoke with Ghislaine and Philippe, a couple aged 64 and 65, retired officers of the French Navy. Owners of a thermal 3008 since 2021, they were won over by the new generation of the model. Unlike the majority of customers, they also chose a 100% electric version. So why this choice? They explained to me that it was their children who persuaded them to make this change.
Ghislaine adds that she has “a hard time finding interest in a plug-in hybrid version”. Former owners of a Toyota RAV4 in simple hybrid, the couple did not want to repeat the experience. However, they understand the 75% of customers of the new 3008 who did not want to take the 100% electric version. According to them, there is above all a fear of novelty.
"It's true that you have to get used to all-electric: managing journeys, managing loads, the fear of running out of fuel. The first few days are tense for fear of not being up to the task until the first big journey. Especially since not everything is said at the dealership. Not all terminals accept credit cards. It's a small detail that has its importance. And the power of the terminals is not the same," they tell me.
The couple is in any case very satisfied with their new vehicle. The only downside: the autonomy. Ghislaine and Philippe believe that the model "more or less" meets the promise. In theory, the electric 3008 equipped with the 73 kWh battery promises 525 km. But in practice, the couple tells me that "it's more like 400 km". Before specifying that "as with thermal vehicles, the theoretical consumption does not correspond to reality".
If 75% of the first customers of the new 3008 chose the mild-hybrid or the plug-in hybrid, it is perhaps also because the version of the model with the large battery is not yet available. In a few months, Peugeot will offer an electric 3008 with a 98 kWh pack. Enough to do (on paper) 680 km. It will be interesting to take stock of the statistics once this variant is available.
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