Citroen e-C3 EV to launch in January next year

French automaker Citroen will be bringing the Citroen e-C3 EV to India in January. Stellantis CEO, Carlos Tavares, confirmed that the automaker will be launching the EV early next year in India. It is rumoured that the e-C3 will be showcased at AutoExpo in January 2023, with a launch scheduled soon after. The e-C3 will be Citroen’s first EV to launch in India. The ICE variant of Citroen C3 was launched in July.

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Citroen e-C3: What to expect?

The biggest challenge for Citroen will be to keep the price of the e-C3 affordable for consumers. The hatchback will likely rival the Tiago EV, which is already India’s most affordable EV at Rs 8.49 lakh. In order to cut down costs, the Citroen e-C3 is expected to feature a 30.2kWh battery pack. This battery pack can be charged with a 3.3 kW charger which will be made available onboard. A fast charging option is also expected to be made available for the e-C3. Citroen has made no comment on the expected range of the e-C3.

The Citroen C3 will be powered by a single electric motor that can produce a peak power output of 86hp (63kW) and 143Nm torque. In comparison, the ICE C3 produces 110hp and 190Nm. Its nearest rival, Tata Tiago EV produces a maximum power of 74hp (55 kW) and 114Nm peak torque. 

The Tiago EV is more versatile when it comes to battery options and driving range. Tata’s electric hatchback is available in two battery pack options: 19.2 kWh and 24 kWh. The former offers a driving range of 250km while the latter offers 315km. With a 30.2kWh battery back, the driving range of Citroen e-C3 is expected to exceed its rival’s.

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Conclusion

Apart from the change in the powertrain, there won’t be any cosmetic changes on the e-C3, except for the EV branding. The interior of the EV is expected to remain the same as well. Citroen plans on carrying out the bulk of its production in India. The battery pack may be imported initially, but Citroen plans to maximise the localised manufacturing of the EV in later phases. Even after local production, the Citroen e-C3 may cost around Rs 10-12 lakh, which would put it in the price category of Tata Tigor EV and Nexon EV.

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