How to design an electric car

Peugeot’s design boss explains how electrification will change his team’s work

There’s no escaping it: a ban on the sale of new internal combustion-engined cars is looming. And as the industry leads customers towards an all-electric future, the vehicles on UK roads are surely set to look very different. Having no engine in a car means much-reduced cooling requirements; even the length of the bonnet will change because, in many cases, there won’t be anything under it.

Peugeot’s design director Matthias Hossann is one of the key figures facing the challenge of turning the firm’s products into EVs over the coming decade (the commitment is all-electric in Europe by 2030), including the potentially awkward transition period when cars may have to be offered with both power sources.

 

Peugeot e-2008 electric SUV (Image: Peugeot)

Peugeot e-2008 electric SUV (Image: Peugeot)

Hossann has solid form at Peugeot, having worked on crucial models for the French brand over the past decade – the current 208 and 2008 for starters, but also eye-catching concepts like the stunning e-Legend. When we meet him for a chat, though, he’s walking around Peugeot’s latest creation, the new 408. It’s a car that’s had a long gestation period – seven years, in fact – and Matthias has had a hand in its design since the first sketches were put to paper.

Read more: AutoExpress

It’s Time to Go Green!

If you would like to know more about Solar Panels and the PowerBanx range of home battery systems, and get a free instant quote, please complete our online form:

Leave a Reply

%d bloggers like this: