Citroen e-C3 Hatchback: A Spin in the Delightful New Electric Vehicle
The new Citroen e-C3, a compelling and affordable electric vehicle, has arrived, and we’ve taken this charming hatchback for a test drive across the UK countryside. This marked the inaugural opportunity to experience the right-hand drive version of this appealingly robust yet compact EV, designed to broaden the reach of electric motoring.
Gallic Charm, Slovak Build
While the e-C3’s distinctive design and elegant interior may radiate quintessential French flair, its manufacturing base is actually in Slovakia, within a factory operated by Stellantis, Citroen’s parent company.
Affordable EV Enters Competitive Market
This release is part of a recent wave of more budget-friendly small electric vehicles entering the market. Car manufacturers are increasingly focused on making electric cars accessible to a wider audience. With a starting price of £21,990, the e-C3 aligns with the cost of a mid-range petrol Vauxhall Corsa.
Rivals and Competition
The Citroen e-C3 is set to compete directly with other battery-powered rivals including Dacia Spring (£14,995) and the Renault 5 E-Tech (£22,995), also sporting French origins. These more competitively priced EVs from established European brands are challenging the surge of new Chinese marques aiming to undercut and dominate the electric car market.
Can the e-C3 Become the Nation’s Favourite Small EV?
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The French electric revolution: Citroen’s new e-C3 aims to conquer the affordable EV segment with its new £22k offering. We’ve tested it in the UK…
Testing the e-C3 in the UK Countryside
Our test drive commenced from a fittingly ‘French’ location – Raymond Blanc’s renowned Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons restaurant and hotel near Oxford.
Range and Practicality
Boasting a maximum range of up to 199 miles on a complete charge, the e-C3 adequately meets typical daily driving requirements. While longer journeys may necessitate some charging planning, the range is more than sufficient for urban commutes, school runs, local errands, and providing essential transport in rural areas with limited public transport.
Trim Levels and Pricing
The e-C3 is available in two straightforward trim levels: Plus (starting at £21,990) and Max (from £23,690), the latter being the version tested.
Performance and Charging
Powered by a 44kW battery and a 113 horsepower (83kW) electric motor, the e-C3 accelerates from 0 to 62mph in 10.4 seconds, reaching a top speed of 82mph. Charging via a domestic wallbox takes slightly over four hours, while a 100kW public rapid charger can replenish the battery to 80 percent in just 30 minutes.
Driving Experience
The e-C3 demonstrates itself to be agile and brisk on country roads, composed and sure-footed through Oxfordshire’s prevalent 20mph zones, and highly maneuverable in parking situations and confined spaces. It presents a well-rounded package tailored for its intended environment.
Priced from £21,990, the e-C3 is competitively priced against rivals like the petrol Vauxhall Corsa, Dacia Spring (£14,995), and Renault 5 E-Tech (£22,995)
Powered by a 44kW battery and a 113 horsepower (83kW) e-motor, it reaches 62mph in 10.4 seconds and has a top speed of 82mph
The Citroen e-C3 is described as ‘agile and brisk around country lanes’
From the driver’s seat, the compact Citroen EV feels composed and sure-footed through Oxfordshire’s 20mph village speed limits and highly maneuverable in parking and tight spaces
Interior Design and Features
The cabin is smartly designed. While incorporating some glossy and matte plastic trim, the overall aesthetic is appealing, enhanced with a touch of French sophistication. The expansive horizontal dashboard, functioning as a head-up display for speed and essential information, evokes Citroen designs of the 1970s.
Comfort and Practicality Inside
The sports seats are surprisingly comfortable, offering a higher driving position than anticipated, providing excellent road visibility. Neat, subtle details include red tags inscribed with ‘have fun’ and ‘be cool’ on the door interiors and seats, along with customizable color clips on the front bumper and C-pillar.
Boot space is generous, expanding from 310 litres to 1,188 litres with the rear seats folded.
The interior boasts French flair. The expansive horizontal dashboard, acting as a head-up display for speed and vital information, echoes 1970s Citroens
Detailed touches include red tags on the door interiors and seats, and replaceable colour clips on the front-bumper and C-pillar
For a supermini, boot capacity is ample, growing from 310 litres to 1,188 litres with rear seats down
Charging takes just over four hours via a domestic wallbox and 30 minutes to reach 80% using a 100kW public rapid charger
Equipment and Warranty
The equipment level on the top-tier model is surprisingly comprehensive for a vehicle of this size. It features a reversing camera, rain-sensing wipers, and even a heated steering wheel. A new eight-year/100,000 mile warranty aims to inspire consumer confidence, indicating the manufacturer’s assurance in the vehicle’s reliability.
Awards and Recognition
The impressive e-C3 has already garnered several accolades, including ‘best value electric car’ at the DrivingElectric awards. It was also a finalist for European Car of the Year, narrowly losing out to the Renault 5.
While the e-C3’s distinctive design and stylish interior exhibit French charm, it’s assembled in Slovakia by Citroen’s parent firm, Stellantis
The maximum range of up to 199 miles on a full charge is sufficient for the majority of daily needs
199 miles of range is more than adequate for most urban journeys, daily commutes, school-runs and shopping trips, and for countryside dwellers with home chargers
Citroen’s Commitment to the UK Market
Citroen’s leadership emphasizes the UK market’s significance for the brand and its smallest electric car (excluding the Ami quadricycle). Global CEO Thierry Koskas, along with his European deputy, specifically visited the UK for the Oxfordshire launch, highlighting the importance of the British market.
Koskas stated, ‘Citroen has significant ambitions as a mainstream brand in the UK. We are a bold brand, we approach things differently.’ Or, as the French say, ‘Vivre la difference!’
The e-C3 enters the small car segment amid a wave of new affordable EVs, facing strong competition in the coming years
Verdict: The Cars and Motoring Perspective
For a compact electric vehicle, the e-C3 aims high, tasked with attracting a broader audience to electric driving. Its pricing is competitive, and the range is well-suited for typical daily driving in Britain. Had it debuted earlier, it might have dominated the small EV market segment. Now, it joins a fiercely contested arena, offering UK buyers a compelling selection of electric cars around the £20,000 mark.