ELECTRIC motoring for the masses is on its way thanks to Peugeot - well at least for a driver and up to seven passengers in the same vehicle.

It comes in the shape of a new, electrically-powered version of the company's Rifter MPV which will be capable of ferrying families and their luggage for up to 171 miles on a single charge.

Like its' conventionally powered counterpart, the new e-Rifter will be available in both five and seven seat formats but comes with a 136hp electric powertrain giving a top speed of 83mph and acceleration from 0-62mph in 11.2-seconds.

The e-Rifter will be in showrooms in the late autumn and will come as standard with a 7.4kW single-phase charger while an 11kW three-phase charger will be available as an option. A full charge from a 7.4kW wallbox will take 7.5 hours, or five hours using the optional 11kW three-phase charger, while charging to 80 per cent will take just 30 minutes using a 100kWh rapid charger.

Compared to the standard Rifter, the e-Rifter features distinct styling features including an ‘e-Rifter monogram on the back, large 16-inch wheels and a load hatch on the left rear fender.

Inside it comes with Peugeot's i-Cockpit with both a digital instrument panel and a digital central display. The eight-inch touchscreen gives drivers access to a dedicated electric menu on which they can view live energy flows, energy efficiency and charge status. Drivers can also set delayed charging through the central touchscreen, while public charging points are highlighted in the navigation menu.

With the 50kWh lithium-ion battery located underneath the floor, there's no compromise in boot and cabin space compared to the standard Rifter. Boot space ranges from 775-litres for the five-seat standard length variant up to 4,000-litres with the seats folded on the longer, seven-seat model.

Julie David, Managing Director of Peugeot UK, says: "The new e-Rifter is our latest electric model, and is one step closer to fulfilling our promise of offering an electrified variant across our entire model line-up by 2023."