Why the electric Citroën ë-C3 will be an absolute bestseller
With a perfectly timed blow, Citroën puts the stars of the competition in the spotlight. With the Citroën ë-C3, the brand is the first to bring a really usable electric car onto the market for less than 25,000 euros.
The Citroën ë-C3 costs 24,290 euros in the Netherlands and buyers/leasing drivers get a 113 hp electric motor, a 44 kWh battery and a range of up to 320 kilometers.
Citroën ë-C3 maximum 135 km/h
The ë-C3 accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in 11 seconds, reaches a top speed of 135 km/h and can be charged with a maximum of 100 kW (26 minutes from 20 to 80 percent charge level).
Stellantis smart car platform
It is based on the Stellantis smart car platform, which is already used in India and South America for the C3 model there. At some point there will also be versions of the ë-C3 with a petrol engine.
Citroën Oli design elements
The design of the Citroën ë-C3 is not spectacular. The proportions are clearly taken from the C3 as on sale in India, with the only truly new element being the oval Citroën logo.
Also striking are the Oli-like light units at the front and back with horizontal, black “grids” in between. The first examples of the ë-C3 will appear in the Netherlands in the second quarter of 2024.
No more long option lists
Citroën wants to avoid long option lists and therefore only offers the ë-C3 in two versions: You and Max. There are no other options apart from the exterior color.
Fiat Panda based on ë-C3
Stellantis has announced that it will build cheaper electric vehicles on the ë-C3 platform. One of them is already known, the upcoming electric Fiat Panda.
Citroën ë-C3 competition
Other brands are also working on electric cars under 25,000 euros, such as Volkswagen, which will launch the ID.2 in 2025, and Renault, which will introduce the new 5 next year.
An even cheaper variant of the ë-C3 will be available in two years at a starting price of around 20,000 euros. Its range is quite limited at only 200 kilometers.