In a bid to bring electric vehicle (EV) ownership within the reach of more people, Citroen will release a low-priced electric car, the ë-C3. It is not a repurposed version of an existing car, like the Vauxhall Corsa e or Peugeot e-208, but an entirely new creation. The ë-C3’s origins lie in the Indian market, derived from an existing Citroen model, the C3. However, the European version will showcase unique exterior and interior styling.
A Pocket-Friendly EV with Impressive Specs
The cost of the ë-C3 in its native France is expected to be “below €25,000”, according to Citroen’s head honcho, Thierry Koskas. There are no confirmed price details for the UK as yet, but a reasonable guess pegs it at around £20,000. The ë-C3’s range promises to be impressive too, with over 300km WLTP, equivalent to approximately 186 miles. That puts it ahead of most city-car EVs on the market, and at a lower price to boot.
Compact in Size, Generous on Features
Despite the economical pricing, the new ë-C3 promises to offer ample comfort and modern technology. It measures around 4 metres in length and sports a five-door body. As standard, it’s set to offer a colour screen with phone mirroring, two-tone paint, and legal minimum driver-assist features such as camera-based lane-keeping, speed-limit warnings, and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB).
Aesthetics and Build
The ë-C3’s design includes a touch of the crossover, featuring black plastic around its outline and imitation skid plates. The broad, flat bonnet is another eye-catching feature. Citroen’s signature front and rear light signatures, similar to the ones on the Oli, also adorn the ë-C3.
The car will be assembled at the Stellantis factory in Slovakia, leveraging efficiencies to keep the cost down. The platform was envisioned for both petrol engines (for the Indian market) and electric drive from the outset, and costs were optimised significantly in the design process.
A Vision for the Future
According to Koskas, Citroen’s plan is to create cars that embody comfort, simplicity, sustainability, and originality, and to make these affordable. The ë-C3 reflects these values, and more exciting developments are on the horizon.
