An all-electric Citroen C3 “will be launched early next year,” according to Carlos Tavares, the global CEO of Stellantis. Although the precise date has not been disclosed, it is most likely to fall in January immediately following Auto Expo 2023.
- Price for the Citroen e-C3 would range from Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 12 lakh.
- A 30.2 kWh battery will be included.
- Planned for export to a number of international markets.
Citroen’s first electric vehicle for India, the e-C3, debuts just six months after the C3 with a petrol engine. The business is keen to note that no other mass manufacturer has created and introduced an EV version of an ICE automobile in such a limited period of time.
Battery and engine of the Citroen e-C3
The e-battery C3’s will be reasonably sized, with a capacity of 30.2kWh, and sources tell us it will feature LFP cells from the Chinese company Svolt. The vehicle will be equipped with a 3.3kW onboard AC charger and CCS2 rapid charging capability. However, Citroen is also eager to have this localised. “I would adore purchasing a battery from an Indian vendor. I am still trying to locate it. We haven’t located a source yet, but we will in the following few years, according to Tavares.
Additionally, we now know that the Citroen eC3’s sole electric motor will have a rather low power output of 63kW (86hp) and 143Nm. In comparison, the EV is probably heavier and the 1.2 Turbo petrol Citroen C3 delivers 110hp and 190Nm.
Expected price for the Citroen e-C3
All other, heavily locally produced parts and components will be shared between the C3’s electric and petrol versions in order to reduce costs. The only difference between the e-C3 and its petrol cousin is the charging outlet, which is positioned on the front fender. Because the body, interior, and mechanical components are all the same. Except for the drive controller that substitutes the gearstick in the petrol manual transmission, the interior is also likely to remain identical.
Citroen is confident that it can price the e-C3 affordably. Although the price and positioning have not been disclosed, it is reasonable to assume that it will be priced between the Tata Tigor EV and the Nexon EV, which is very aggressive by multinational standards, or in the range of Rs 10 lakh to 12 lakh.
With the exception of the quadricycle Citroen Ami, the e-C3 will be the most affordable Citroen EV in the world thanks to its low pricing. This would also offer it tremendous promise in export markets, where small-sized EVs are popular yet still have a lower price-to-size ratio than ICE vehicles.
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