PSA/Peugeot-Citroen SA plans to make 1,500 units of the electric version of the Peugeot Partner and Citroen Berlingo car-derived vans through 2011 with Monaco-based EV producer Venturi. In fact, delivery has already started. Venturi provides the batteries, powertrain, and other EV-related components for the models. PSA has begun delivery of the vans. Known for its high-powered EV sport cars, Venturi expects that its supply contract with PSA for EVs will remain limited to small volumes.
Venturi CEO Gildo Pallanco Pastor told Automotive News Europe that EV vans will eventually be made in large quantities on an industry-wide basis, but Venturi will still address niche markets.
PSA has delivered 250 units of the vans to La Poste, the French postal service. PSA will soon begin sales of two battery-powered small cars: the Peugeot iOn and Citroen C-Zero. Both models are based on the Mitsubishi i-MiEV and are made in Japan as part of PSA's alliance with Mitsubishi. [via autonews - sub. required]
