Citroën launches its ë-C3 electric car

(Meudon) The French brand Citroën unveiled the first electric version of its emblematic C3 on Tuesday, marking a strong start in the race for the electric entry-level, with a car costing 23,300 euros ($34,000), which will be followed by a version with reduced autonomy at 19,990 euros ($29,000).

“We are very happy today to present the new C3 to you,” said Citroën general manager Thierry Koskas, next to a car covered in a white veil, on the stage of Hangar Y, in Meudon, in Parisian region.

The car will have 320 km of autonomy – “more than sufficient for everyday use”, praises Mr. Koskas. And it promises even cheaper “at the beginning of 2025”, with a “more urban version with a 200 km range, which will be offered at 19,990 euros”. “Offering affordable vehicles has always been in the DNA of Citroën”, today in the fold of the Stellantis group (Peugeot, Opel, Fiat, etc.), affirmed its general director.

The price may be further reduced by the ecological bonus, once the government has confirmed that the ë-C3 is among the eligible models in 2024 (currently between 5,000 and 7,000 euros, it must become decreasing depending on income).

By comparison, Tesla’s best seller, the Model 3, today costs 37,990 euros ($55,000), once 5,000 euros of ecological bonus is deducted.

This fourth generation of C3, which will also exist in a thermal version, will be available to order at the beginning of 2024 and marketed at the start of the second quarter.

Much squarer than its predecessors, the new C3 – “Citroën’s best-seller” with 5.6 million units sold since its launch in 2002 – is also taller (1.57 m), giving it the false air of SUV. The number of colors will be reduced to 5 to limit costs.

It will be the first vehicle to integrate the new Citroën design: the new logo, with chevrons enclosed in an oval as at its beginnings, and the “light signature” of the headlights, three bars drawing a C or an inverted C.

But it was its price that was expected: “We were committed to this car being under 25,000 euros. Today we can announce a price of 23,300 euros”, net buyer and “unique in Europe”, proudly declared Thierry Koskas.

Made in Slovakia

“The new ë-C3 is the first fully electric versatile city car offered by a European manufacturer at this price level and for such benefits,” boasts Citroën. It will be manufactured in the “Stellantis Trnava factory in Slovakia”.

Currently, no model is sold in France under 30,000 euros, except the Dacia Spring, the cheapest electric car on the market, but which is made in China and offers basic comfort.

Driven by fierce Asian competition, European manufacturers are engaged in a race for entry-level electric vehicles. Many brands – Opel, Renault, VW with its future ID.2 – have announced vehicles priced around 25,000 euros for the end of 2024 or 2025.

But the promise is difficult to keep: concerning the future Renault 5 city car, Renault management now refers rather to “below 30,000 euros”, however arguing that it will be manufactured in France.

Strategic challenge

Enough to perhaps satisfy the environmental association Transport & Environment (T & E), which is campaigning for an electric car under 25,000 or even 20,000 euros. In addition to the price, the NGO announced that it would be necessary to examine “the weight” (1460 kg), “the recyclability” as well as “the battery” of the new model.

The LFP battery, 44 kWh, can be connected to fast charging at 100 kW, to “go from 20 to 80% capacity in just 26 minutes”, specifies the press release. The same recharge from a standard outlet will take between 2 hours 50 minutes and 4 hours 10 minutes.

T&E had also warned against electrification of the C3 “by the SUV”, arguing that these large cars consume more. Despite “some attributes of an SUV, it is a sedan,” assures Thierry Koskas. To see if this convinces.

Winning the race for the entry-level electric segment constitutes a strategic challenge for Citröen, whose sales are sluggish and buyers are aging. The ë-C3 constitutes a “decisive step” in Mr. Koskas’ roadmap, which aims for “a market share of at least 5%” in Europe.