Tokyo show: next Peugeot EVs under development

PEUGEOT'S radical Fractal concept is confined to a conceptual world at this stage, but the futuristic technology that it showcases marks the beginning of more than one EV.

When it broke cover at the Frankfurt motor show earlier this year, the Fractal introduced a range of innovative features, but far from being technological follies, the French car-maker says they form beginnings of next-generation electric projects.

Speaking at the Tokyo motor show, Peugeot marketing and communication director Guillame Couzy said the company had multiple electric vehicles under development that will emerge over the coming years.

“We are already developing the new beginnings of a new electric platform,” he said. “In our product plan, you will see new electric vehicles for the Peugeot brand in the next years.”

The Fractal has a variety of futuristic systems that address the unique problems created by an electric vehicles' silent operation, and Mr Couzy said the solutions are certainly something that would feature in future production models.

“For sure, it’s research for electric cars, and something we are working very strongly with the design people is the sound of electric cars,” he said.

Mr Couzy explained that the sound an EV makes is important for both the driver's enjoyment as well as the safety of other road users, but the Fractal was a “laboratory” and would produce marketable systems.

“There is a specific matter with electric cars which is safety, and what kind of noise should it make in order to be safe,” said Mr Couzy. “It’s a laboratory of ideas because sometimes you have concept cars that are pure style designs.”

Mr Couzy was unable to offer a time frame for the arrival of the vehicles or how many would result from the multiple projects.

In Europe and the United Kingdom, Peugeot offers the iOn electric micro car and a full electric version of its Partner small commercial van.