The new Citroën ë-C3 at an electrifying price: less than €20,000 for this new electric city car
Until now, Dacia was the only brand to offer a new electric car for under €20,000 with the Dacia Springalthough the Renault Twingo Legend will soon be hitting French roads.
Read more : Electric car under €20,000: the future Renault Twingo Legend
With a starting price set at 23,300outside deduction of the €4,000 environmental bonus (19,300), the French city car is on a par with Dacia Spring, the benchmark for competitive pricing.
Offering affordable vehicles has always been a major part of Citroën's DNA. However, customer expectations for vehicles in this B-segment have changed, particularly with the rise in popularity of SUVs and the growing desire to drive with the benefits of electric power in and around our cities. [...] But that's exactly what Citroën is daring to do with the all-new, all-electric ë-C3, aimed at European customers: modern, fresh and comfortable, it is designed to meet customer expectations as closely as possible.
By way of comparison, it is important to note that the Dacia in question is not eligible for the ecological bonus. In other words, the Citroën ë-C3 now represents serious competition for the Spring, while offering far superior performance, as we shall see throughout this article.
While its restyling suggests worthwhile improvementsThe arrival of the new ë-C3 is sure to appeal to buyers looking for an affordable electric vehicle.
Social leasing: drive electric for just €54 a month
Social leasing and electric cars at knock-down prices: a winning combination to democratise green mobility. The Citroën ë-C3, available for just €54 a month thanks to social leasing, is particularly attractive to low-income households. However, a delay in delivery has disrupted this tempting offer, raising questions about its impact. How is Citroën managing this situation? What solutions are being proposed to guarantee this financial advantage?
Delivery delays: social leasing on this electric city car affected?
Due to be launched in October 2023, the new Citroën ë-C3 is now open for pre-orders. As well as offering a lower prices than its competitors and benefit from the environmental bonusshe has capitalised on the rapid success of social leasing in early 2024. This government programme has enabled thousands of households on modest incomes to acquire this electric city car for a monthly fee of €54.
For more information : 100 social leasing: which electric vehicles are eligible?
However, no eco-mobilist has yet been able to take possession of it. Initially scheduled for the 2nd quarter of 2024the deliveries delayed until September due to software problemaccording to the company. It should be noted that the thermal version has suffered the same fate.
It should also be noted that subsidies linked to this scheme are only guaranteed for deliveries made before a given deadline1 October. Any delivery beyond this deadline could lead to a reassessment of the financing conditions, or even the loss of the aid promised.
But this misadventure is only ancient history: the first models of the Citroën ë-C3 were finally launched on the market. produced at the Stellantis plant in Trnavain Slovakia. As the deadline approaches, the first vehicles will be delivered to customers who have signed up to the social leasing programme. While some customers may not yet have received their electric city car, Citroën is keen to reassure its customers:
In their own words, Citroën has already shipped around 3,500 vehicles., or 60 % of ordersThis is despite the fact that 2,300 cars have yet to be delivered. Nevertheless, Citroën has just announced that customers who have not been delivered before the deadline will benefit from the same conditions "so that none of them is harmed".
For all customers who have taken out an electric leasing contract and whose vehicle has not been delivered by 30 September, Citroën will commercially guarantee the same terms as those of the electric leasing contract, so that none of them will lose out. We will continue to deliver the new ë-C3s from our factory to the last electric leasing customers in the first few days of October.
According to a brand spokesperson, for maintain the same rent for customers delivered after 30 SeptemberCitroën will pay "around €5,000" per vehicle, giving a total budget of just over €10 million.
Indeed, this problem is becoming more and more frequentThis is particularly true of electric models featuring cutting-edge technology.
For example, several similar electric cars have gone through similar difficultiessuch that :
- the Volvo EX90,
- l'Audi Q6 e-tron,
- the Porsche Macan,
- and the Volkswagen ID.3.
However, the case of Citroën's city car is slightly different. It is also available in an internal combustion version, and is based on a very economical platform called the Smart Car. This base has been in use in India since the end of 2021.
However, almost everything had to be adjusted to meet the more stringent standards of the European market. Naturally, this had already delayed the presentation of this 4th generation, as it was to strengthen its structure.
Design and comfort: the Citroën ë-C3 makes no compromises
The New Citroën ë-C3 reinvents the codes of the electric city car without compromising on design or comfort.
Sound a bold, modern lookmarked by a robust grille and flowing linesThis gives it a striking presence in town. But that's not all: the new design gives front seat occupants an extra 100 mm of space, ensuring a more comfortable ride. higher, more commanding driving positionThis increases the feeling of control and safety.
All passengers also benefit from improved visibility from the outside, reinforcing the sense of security. comfort on board.
Worth noting : The Citroën ë-C3 is the first production car to benefit from the new logo.
But aesthetics aside, the ë-C3 focuses above all on the emblematic comfort of the brand. Thanks to Citroën Advanced Comfort® suspensions and ergonomic Advanced Comfort® seats.This car offers a driving sensation akin to that of the legendary 'magic carpet'.
The Citroën ë-C3 doesn't forget the little details that make every journey a pleasure:
- a spacious interior,
- from soft-touch materials,
- and features such as automatic climate control and automatic headlights.
Everything has been designed to ensure that passengers feel at ease, whether on daily journeys or longer escapades.
It is also important to note that the Citroën ë-C3 boasts cutting-edge on-board technology, designed to offer both comfort and connectivity. It is equipped with a 10.25-inch central touchscreenallowing easy access to infotainment and navigation functions. The system incorporates wireless connectivity, in particular via WiFi, to simplify the use of connected services during daily journeys, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Technical specifications and performance of the Citroën ë-C3
The Citroën ë-C3, a genuine revolution in the electric city car segment, intelligently combines accessibility and performance. Under its compact, elegant designit hides a latest-generation electric motor which promises toexcellent performance for urban and suburban journeys.
Thanks to advanced technologies and a autonomy more than comfortableIt's the perfect answer to the needs of those looking for a driving experience that's both economical and respectful of the environment.
Let's take a closer look at the technical features that make this 5-seater city car such a compelling choice.
Autonomy and recharging designed for the city... and beyond
Citroën's new electric vehicle not only boasts an attractive price tag, it also boasts the following features interesting technical features for a city car. Let's take a closer look at what the ë-C3 has to offer under the bonnet.
Equipped with a battery LFP (lithium iron phosphate) of 44 kWhIt offers an autonomy of 320 km according to the WLTP cycleor 100 km more than its competitor Dacia Spring. But that's not all: its aerodynamics are said to have a penetration coefficient of 0.32. In contrast, the Tesla Model Y is 0.23.
This battery technology offers a number of advantages:
- Reduced risk of overheating.
- Lower production costs.
- Optimised recycling compared with other types of battery.
💡Did you know ? Most of the expensive metal electric batteries, which is the cobaltwhich is present in most electric batteries, in particular NMC technology.
Fast recharging means you can go from 20 % to 80 % in just 26 minutesThis makes the ë-C3 a practical option for city dwellers who are always on the move.
Worth noting This electric city car boasts a consumption of around 14.5 kWh/100 km on suburban routes.
All in all, with the Citroën ë-C3, you get a vehicle that's equally at home in town or on long journeys, while still offering a high level of comfort. fast recharging comfort and sufficient autonomy for most uses.
An interesting engine and performance
What's more, its compact dimensions (1.57 m high) and its agility in urban environments are combined with a 113 hp high-performance electric motorThis ensures a smooth ride, even in the most demanding environments.
Worth noting 2 versions will be available for this city car with the chevrons, the 'You' and the 'Max'.
Lastly, its energy efficiency helps to keep running costs under control, in line with the Group's policy on energy efficiency.accessibility promised by social leasing. The combination of these technical elements makes the ë-C3 not only an environmentally-friendly option, but also an economically attractive one for a large proportion of consumers.
Citroën ë-C3: Summary of technical specifications
In this table, we take a look at the summarised technical specifications that make the ë-C3 an essential choice for those seeking electric mobility and accessibility.
| CITROËN Ë-C3 | PERFORMANCE |
|---|---|
Autonomy (WLTP) | 320 km |
Electrical power | 44 kWh |
0 to 100 km/h | 10.4 seconds |
Penetration coefficient (Cx) | 0,32 |
20% to 80% (100 kW recharging) | 26 minutes |
20% to 80% (7.4 kW recharging) | 4h10 |
20% to 80% (11 kW recharging) | 2h50 |
Maximum speed | 135 km/h |
Battery warranty | 8 years and 160,000 km |
Ecological bonus | 4 000 € |
Catalogue price including bonus | 19 300 € |
Conclusion
The Citroën ë-C3 marks a turning point in the electrification of city cars. By offering a affordable electric vehicle, efficient and comfortableCitroën meets the expectations of a broad public.
Through social leasing in particular, the brand has democratised access to electric mobility, making the energy transition more accessible to everyone.
And if you want to find out more about the latest in electric vehicles, go to Paris Motor Show 2024 ! Our team of experts Alae-Eddine Mahmoudi and Ronny Rajinundun will be on hand on 15 October to answer all your questions. The electric city car presented throughout this article will also be on display at the show.
Beevis your partner for a smooth transition to electric mobility. We'll help you choose your vehicle and offer financing solutions tailored to your needs.
So, are you ready to make the leap to electric? Don't hesitate to contact us to find out more about the Citroën ë-C3 and the other models available in electric car leasing on our platform.
