Citroën is set to enter the affordable electric vehicle (EV) market in October by introducing a battery version of its updated C3 range. The ë-C3, priced below €25,000 in France and around £25,000 in the UK, will become the lead offering in Citroën’s B-hatchback range. This move represents an effort by the Stellantis group, which Citroën is a part of, to address the demand for affordable EVs.
EV
While European manufacturers have focused on high-value EVs, Chinese manufacturers have made significant progress in producing low-cost EVs on a larger scale, which is ultimately what the market requires.
e-C3
The ë-C3 will be part of a broader Citroën C3 range, including internal combustion engine (ICE) models. However, Citroën has emphasized that the EV version will take precedence and aims to offer a fully equipped vehicle as standard, including features like air conditioning and electric windows. The car will be based on a platform Citroën claims is “BEV-native,” indicating a dedicated design for electric vehicles.
The new ë-C3 will share major dimensions with the current ICE C3 and will have a solid connection to the C3 released in India and South America. These models utilize Stellantis’ Smart Car platform, an adapted and improved version of the existing CMF-B assembly.
Technical specifications for the ë-C3 have not been disclosed yet, except for its length, which will be around four meters. The vehicle is expected to offer comfort, modern features, and a range of more than 186 miles.
CEO
Citroën CEO Thierry Koskas, who also serves as the sales and market chief of the Stellantis group, highlighted the significance of the C3 to the company’s lineup. The C3 has achieved over 5.5 million sales since its debut in 1993, and Citroën aims for global expansion.
Koskas plans to simplify the C3 range by offering three trim levels with a maximum of five options to reduce buyer confusion and streamline production. The company also intends to provide fair price transparency to minimize discounting, although some negotiation may still be possible. The CEO believes maintaining prices close to the quoted levels is a matter of discipline.
Specific details regarding pricing and launch date in the UK have not been announced, but it is expected that the ë-C3 will arrive in the UK shortly after its release in France.
