New Delhi: Citroen India recently released a trailer hinting at the debut of a new electric vehicle, and we suspect it could be an electric version of the C3 hatchback. Citroen will introduce this new car on September 29 and it is expected to go on sale in our market in early 2023.

Citroen C3 EV: what to expect?

Carlos Tavares, CEO of the Stellantis group, had earlier said that a sub-4m compact electric car will come to India next year, based on the same platform as the C3 hatchback. It will be part of the Citroen C-cubed program for India and will be designed and manufactured here.

The C3 EV will then be based on the modular eCMP platform, which is modified from the ICE platform to include an electric motor and battery. This platform was conceived with electrification in mind from the start and already supports electric cars in foreign markets such as the Peugeot e-208 and the recently introduced Jeep Avenger.

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In fact, the C3 EV has already been tested on our roads several times. The largely uncamouflaged test mules only had wraps on the front right fender that seemed to hide the charging socket. Elsewhere, the electrified C3 has so far seemed largely similar to the ICE-powered C3.

Inside, too, the C3 EV is expected to carry the same dashboard design and equipment list as its ICE counterpart, although this could be a good opportunity for Citroen to add some extra features to the otherwise modestly equipped model.

Not much is currently known about the technical specifications of the C3 EV, but if other global models based on the same platform are to be expected, the C3 EV can be expected to come with a 50kWh battery that will provide a range of around 350 km. . The battery will drive an electric motor on the front axle with an output of about 135 horsepower.

Tavares also said that they are focusing on affordability with the company’s first electric car in India. The C3 EV is manufactured in Chennai and will have more than 90 percent localization; however, batteries will be imported at an initial stage.

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With the launch of the C3 EV, Citroen will be one of the few manufacturers, along with Tata and Mahindra, to operate at the affordable end of the EV spectrum. This will give them an opportunity to leapfrog other mainstream manufacturers such as Maruti and Hyundai, whose affordable electric cars are still a few years away. The C3 EV is expected to slot below the Tata Nexon EV Prime in our market.

What else is on the cards for Citroen for India?

After the C3 EV, Citroen will work on electrified models based on the eCMP platform, covering body styles such as MPV and CUV.

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