New Citroën ë-C3 Société Van: the affordable electric van for professionals
Why is the Citroën ë-C3 Société Van a revolution for professionals?
The Citroën ë-C3 Société Van represents a revolution for professionals by being the the first electric vehicle in its category to be N1 approvedwhich gives it access to tax benefits reserved for light commercial vehicles. Its compact and versatile design, combined with an affordable price thanks to the CEE bonus and a discount offered by Citroën, makes it an economical and practical solution for small and medium-sized businesses. This unique offer simplifies the transition to electric vehicles while meeting the specific needs of professionals..
NB: THEN1 certification designates a classification reserved for light commercial vehicles of less than 3.5 tonnes, enabling companies to benefit from tax advantages such as VAT recovery on purchase and maintenance, as well as specific support for the energy transition.
Performance and autonomy What is the daily value of the Citroën ë-C3 Société Van?
What engine and what power for professional use?
The Citroën ë-C3 Société Van is powered by a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, developing maximum power of 113 bhp (83 kW) and torque of 260 Nm. This engine is ideal for professionals, offering a smooth, silent and jolt-free drive that is well suited to urban and suburban environments.
The vehicle is also equipped with an automatic transmission, simplifying driving and reducing fatigue on repetitive journeys. Thanks to its moderate but efficient power, the ë-C3 Société Van is perfectly sized for small deliveries, breakdown services or daily business trips, while remaining economical in use thanks to electricity.
What is the real range for the Citroën ë-C3 Société Van on long journeys?
The Citroën ë-C3 Société Van has an official range of 320 km in the WLTP combined cycle, making it suitable for extended journeys. However, actual range may vary depending on a number of factors, such as driving style (sudden acceleration or frequent use of the air conditioning), the load carried, weather conditions (cold or rain) and the type of road (motorway or city). In real-life conditions, a range of 250 to 280 km is conceivable, which is still sufficient for most business needs.
To optimise autonomy, Citroën electrics incorporates features such as eco mode and a braking energy recovery system to maximise energy efficiency.
How long does it take to recharge the Citroën ë-C3 Société Van?
The Citroën ë-C3 Société Van offers several charging options to suit the needs of professionals. Using a standard household socket (2.3 kW), a full charge takes around 4 hours and 10 minutes. For faster charging, a wallbox (7.4 kW) reduces this time to around 7 hours.
When fast-charged at a compatible public charging point (up to 100 kW DC), the vehicle can go from 20 % to 80 % of battery in just 26 minutes, offering a practical solution for urgent journeys or short breaks. This recharging flexibility, combined with sufficient range, makes the ë-C3 Société Van a versatile vehicle that is ideally suited to the needs of professionals.
Use the TCO simulator to calculate the total cost of ownership of your car and compare it with its internal combustion equivalent.
Load capacity and modularity: a van tailored to the needs of businesses?
Citroën ë-C3 Société Van: what load volume and dimensions for transporting goods?
The Citroën ë-C3 Société Van, approved in category N1, is designed to meet the needs of professional goods transporters. With dimensions of 4.01 m in length, 1.76 m in width and 1.57 m in height, it offers generous load space despite its compact size.
Although Citroën is not disclosing the exact volume of the load space, the removal of the rear bench seat and the installation of a flat floor mean that the available space can be optimised. For reference, the 5-seater version of the ë-C3 offers a boot volume of 328 litres (1,180 litres with the rear seat folded down), which gives an indication of the potential of the Société Van version.
What fittings and options are available to optimise the on-board workspace?
The ë-C3 Société Van incorporates a number of features to make work easier for professionals. A partition is fitted between the passenger compartment and the loading area, ensuring the safety of goods while keeping the driving area clear. The rear doors provide convenient access to the boot, making loading and unloading easier.
Although Citroën does not detail specific options for this version, the modularity of the interior space and the practical design of the vehicle make it an effective tool for small deliveries, breakdown services or mobile services.
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Technology and equipment: is the Citroën ë-C3 Société Van well equipped?
What standard equipment and options are available?
As standard, the ë-C3 Société Van includes equipment such as LED headlamps, LED daytime running lights, a Citroën Head Up Display, a smartphone docking station with NFC technology, and a 10.25-inch central touchscreen compatible with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto©. It is also equipped with Citroën Advanced Comfort® suspension for a pleasant drive, rear parking assistance, air conditioning and an automatic emergency braking system (Active Safety Brake).
As an option, professionals can opt for 17" alloy wheels, 3D navigation, wireless smartphone charging, a reversing camera and automatic climate control.
What driving aids and innovations make the work of professionals easier?
The ë-C3 Société Van incorporates a number of driving aids to make everyday life easier for professionals. These include Active Lane Departure Warning, which corrects the vehicle's trajectory, and Road Sign Recognition, which displays speed limits on the dashboard. Active Safety Brake detects pedestrians and cyclists, while Rear Park Assist makes manoeuvring in tight spaces easier.
These features, combined with a smooth, quiet drive, make it ideal for frequent business trips.
Price and profitability: is the Citroën ë-C3 Société Van a good deal?
How can Citroën offer an electric van for under €19,000?
Citroën offers a electric vans under €19,000 thanks to the Citroën ë-C3 Société Van's N1 homologation, which enables it to benefit from Energy Saving Certificates (EEC). This bonus can amount to up to €4,515 for companies with a fleet of less than 100 vehicles, reducing the base price from €23,000 excluding VAT to €18,485 excluding VAT.
Citroën adds a further discount of €460 excluding VAT, further reducing the cost to €18,025 excluding VAT. This strategy, combined with the direct management of CEE procedures via a partnership with CertiNergy & Solutions (Engie), enables Citroën to offer an affordable electric vehicle to professionals, while simplifying their transition to electric vehicles.
Comparative table of competitors to the Citroën ë-C3 Société Van
| Model | Price (excl. VAT) | Range (WLTP) | Load volume | Motorisation | Tax benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citroën ë-C3 Société Van | 18 025 € | 320 km | Not communicated | 113 bhp (83 kW) | Yes (N1) |
| Peugeot e-Expert | 57 400 € | 330 km | 5,3 m³ | 136 bhp (100 kW) | Yes |
| Mercedes-Benz eSprinter | 84 582 € | 400 km | 10,5 m³ | 114 bhp (85 kW) | Yes |
| Dacia Spring | 18 900 € | 230 km | Not communicated | 45 bhp (33 kW) | No |
| Renault Kangoo E-Tech | 37 500 € | 300 km | 3,9 m³ | 122 bhp (90 kW) | Yes |
Conclusion
The Citroën ë-C3 Société Van is the ideal solution for professionals wishing to go electric without compromising on practicality and profitability. With an attractive price of less than €19,000 excluding VAT, a satisfactory range of 320 km and modern equipment, it combines economy and efficiency.
Its N1 approval means it benefits from significant tax advantages, making it even more attractive than the competition. Compact, versatile and well-equipped, it represents a relevant alternative for companies looking for a reliable and affordable electric van.
