PSA/Peugeot-Citroen SA will offer a dedicated, advanced telematics system in its upcoming electric vehicles to differentiate them from the model on which they are based, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV.
A new version of Peugeot Connect, PSA's onboard communications and navigation system, will be standard equipment on the Peugeot iOn and Citroen C-Zero when they debut later this year.
“This will permit us to receive real-time data on the actual use of the cars and the status of their batteries, which will be crucial to helping us better understand exactly how our electric vehicles are being used,” PSA electric vehicles director Ayoul Grouvel told Automotive News Europe in an interview earlier this month.
The system also is expected to provide a customer peace of mind because if the electric car's battery runs out of power, help can be reached with the touch of a button, 24-hours a day. Since the car is linked a satellite-based navigation system, the person at the PSA call center can send assistance the exact location of the problem.
Another difference
While Grouvel says there will be few differences between the exteriors and interiors of the C-Zero, iOn and i-MiEV, there is expected to be a big difference in the starting price for the battery-powered minicars.