Citroën ë-C3 launches with 199-mile range, fast charging, and shockingly low price

Earlier this year, Stellantis launched the Fiat 600e, signifying a commitment to compact, affordable EVs that focus on practicality over flashy features and performance. The newly-announced Citroën ë-C3, billed as a comfortable, compact city run-around, is a continuation of that same theme of practicality. 

The ë-C3, which appears to be different from the one already on sale in India, is set to deliver a modest 199 miles of range from a single 83 kW (113 hp) front-mounted electric motor and a 44 kWh LFP battery. The small battery capacity, in combination with 100 kW DC fast charging, allows the ë-C3 to recharge from 20-80% in as little as 26 minutes.

Citroën is also ushering in a new design language and oval logo with the launch of the ë-C3. The EV is taller and boxier than Citroën's previous designs, and it features somewhat stronger visuals on the front of the vehicle. Gone are the cutesy Citroën's of years past, it seems.

The interior of the ë-C3 is practical — with a healthy mix of physical buttons and touch-enabled displays — and spacious, if not particularly luxurious, with plenty of plastic to be seen. For the European market, Citroën is launching the ë-C3 in just two trims — You and Max — in an effort to streamline production. The Max trim will feature Citroën's iconic dual-tone roof, and the ë-C3 You will start at €23,300. European Citroën dealers will receive stock of the ë-C3 in Q2, 2024.

It's unclear whether Citroën will launch the ë-C3 in the US at a later stage, but the comparatively low range and compact proportions make that seem unlikely.

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