Citroen launches affordable £22,000 e-C3 electric car

Citroen has launched the new e-C3, an affordable electric vehicle (EV) priced at £22,000. This model aims to attract a broader audience to electric cars. It joins a number of small, budget-friendly EVs recently introduced by various car manufacturers. The e-C3 has a quirky design and is built in Slovakia. It competes with other affordable options like Dacia's Spring at £14,995 and Renault's 5 E-Tech for £22,995. Citroen hopes to win over customers facing increasing competition from both European and Chinese electric car brands. The e-C3 offers a driving range of up to 199 miles on a full charge, suitable for day-to-day driving in urban and rural areas. It has two trim options: Plus, starting at £21,990, and Max, at £23,690. The Max trim provides features like a reversing camera and heated steering wheel. With a 44kW battery and 113 horsepower motor, the e-C3 accelerates to 62mph in 10.4 seconds. Charging takes about four hours with a home wallbox and just half an hour to reach 80% at a rapid public charger. The car handles well on country roads and is easy to maneuver in tight spaces. The interior includes stylish touches like a dashboard with head-up display features. It even has clever details like color clips for personalizing the car. The boot has a capacity of 310 litres, which expands to 1,188 litres with the rear seats down. Citroen’s global CEO has emphasized the importance of the UK market for the brand's success. The e-C3 has received numerous awards, including ‘best value electric car.’ While it has strong features, it enters a crowded market with many options for buyers looking for affordable electric vehicles.