With a sigh of relief, Groupe PSA has managed to remain profitable in the first half of 2020. No mean feat in the face of the global pandemic and the company continues to remain upbeat about it's chances of strong rebound in the second half of the year – ahead of the completion of its merger with Chrysler Fiat in order to form Stellantis. With a renewed spirit of optimism, PSA (which includes Peugeot and Citroën) has announced that it will soon start production on a dedicated new electric platform, designed to strengthen its position in the EV market.
By 2023, the group goal is to be able to launch vehicles in the C- and D-segments (from sedan to SUV), in different regions across the world, by using the new eVMP ‘Electric Vehicle Modular Platform'. Moreover, between 2020 and 2025, Groupe PSA will gradually move from two multi-energy platforms, across to a pair of 100% electrified platforms in order to better support the development of e-mobility solutions.
The new eVMP platform is the result of all PSA's engineering know-how, and will offer 60 to 100 kWh of embedded energy and an optimised architecture that exploits the entire sub-floor for the battery. By restoring 50 kWh per meter within the wheelbase, it will be able to offer an all-electric range from 250 miles (400 km) to 400 miles (650 km) using the WLTP system. Ultimately, the car's range will depend on the body type.
In addition to a high level of technical performance, the efficiency of eVMP also lies in the optimisation of R&D and industrialisation costs. This is achieved through the use of certain sub-assemblies and existing high-performance battery modules.
According to Nicolas Morel, Research and Development Director at Groupe PSA, this new dedicated EV technology is a starting point towards a greener future of the company.
“This global platform will make it possible to offer a range of vehicles that are perfectly respectful of the environment, meeting the changing expectations of our customers and guaranteeing driving pleasure and safety on board, values that are the basis of the Group's reputation today,” he said.
This new strategy does not come as a surprise as clearly other companies are thriving thanks to EVs. As we recently reported, the new Renault Zoe has taken over Tesla’s throne as the most sold car in the month of June and its popularity keeps growing.
With Citroen yet to put a volume EV into the market and Peugeot only offering a handful of electrified passenger cars, it seems like a good time to develop a parallel solution for better products in the 2023-25 time frame. Especially with the Far East surge on the horizon.
