3 affordable electric cars: Peugeot e-208, Honda e-Prototype and SEAT el-Born

Many car manufacturers are betting on developing 100% electric models. By 2020 numerous options will reach the market, and most brands will have at least one electric car in their line-up. Although electric car sales do not yet represent a significant volume, they are important to keep in mind. The prices of electric cars often double those of combustion models, but very soon the three affordable electric cars to buy by 2020 will see the light of day.

Peugeot e-208

The Peugeot e-208 is the first 100% electric version of the model. It will be the first of the three to reach the market, in September 2019, and it is one of the three affordable electric cars to buy by 2020. The new Peugeot e-208 will stand out for its specific grille, the absence of exhaust outlets and wheels with sealed sections. This will improve aerodynamics and make them more resistant to rolling resistance, as the lion brand asserts.

The Peugeot e-208 debuts the modular architecture called e-CMP. It mounts a 100 kW motor, equivalent to about 136 CV and 260 Nm of maximum torque. The electric powertrain of the Peugeot e-208 is powered by a 50 kWh battery and has a range of 340 kilometres. It will be capable of going from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.1 seconds.

The new affordable electric Peugeot offers the driver two levels of regenerative braking: through the gear selector or through deceleration via the pedal. In addition, it can be charged in three different ways: domestic socket, ‘wallbox’ or a public charging point.

Honda e-Prototype

The Geneva Motor Show this year showed the evolution of the Urban EV Concept. It has now been named Honda e Prototype and keeps its distinctive retro line. The evolution of the Honda electric concept involves softening its lines. Besides interiors marked by ‘Melange’ upholstery, another feature is the inclusion of three fully customisable screens. The central one will inform the driver of everything happening in the vehicle, while the other two will delight the rest of the passengers through the brand’s new infotainment systems. To these two screens are added two more, one on each side, showing the images captured by the camera-based rear-view mirrors.

The Honda e Prototype, which is part of the three affordable electric cars to buy by 2020, has a fully electric motor. This powertrain will offer a range exceeding 200 kilometres and can be charged through the socket located at the front.

This Honda electric car will go into production at the end of this year. Its exact dimensions are still unknown, but it will be a fairly compact electric car. It will belong to the A-segment but will offer five usable seats.

Seat el-Born

The first production electric car from Seat is part of the three affordable electric cars to buy by 2020. The future Seat el-Born will mount a fully electric powertrain based on the MEB platform from Volkswagen. It will have a range of 420 kilometres, on the WLTP cycle, and semi-autonomous driving technologies.

This concept was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, but will not reach the market until 2020. It will mount a 150 kW motor powered by high-density batteries with a 62 kWh capacity. The compact electric car from Seat will reach 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds.

The headlights of the new Seat el-Born recall those of the legendary Seat León, but without a framed grille since it has no combustion engine to house. The aerodynamics of this electric car are very refined, as Seat points out, since the brand’s aim is to optimise airflow. Its price is still unknown.

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackPeugeot 2089 versions · from 22,520 €