Citroen is embarking on an electric journey with the fourth-generation C3, transitioning from combustion engines to a purely electric powertrain. After achieving over 5.6 million sales of traditional C3 models, the French automaker is now venturing into the world of zero emissions with the launch of the 2024 e-C3 in the European market. The e-C3 comes with a starting price of approximately $24,500 (23,300 Euros), and an even more budget-friendly entry-level variant is anticipated in 2025, positioning it as one of the most affordable electric vehicles in Europe.
Built on Stellantis’ Smart Car Platform, this model introduces a fresh design language compared to its predecessor. The C3 has transformed from a conventional small hatchback into a more crossover-style vehicle, with an emphasis on positioning the wheels as far to the edges as possible. This results in a notably roomier cabin, offering an additional 1.18 inches of headroom and 0.8 inches of increased knee room for occupants. The cargo space behind the rear seats has also grown slightly from 10.59 cubic feet to 10.94 cubic feet.
The most noticeable visual change is in the front fascia, featuring Citroen’s new logo framed by a pair of C-shaped lights. At the rear, the taillights extend into the rear quarter panels, and a small static spoiler above the rear window is now standard equipment.
The most significant transformation lies under the hood, as the traditional combustion engines have been replaced by a fully electric powertrain. The 2024 e-C3 incorporates a 44-kilowatt-hour Lithium Ferro Phosphate (LFP) battery, offering a range of up to 199 miles (320 kilometers) between charges, measured by the WLTP cycle. Power is delivered by a 113-horsepower electric motor located on the front axle, enabling a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint in approximately 11 seconds. Charging the battery from 20 to 80 percent using a 7-kilowatt charger takes roughly four hours, while a DC fast charging station with the 100-kW CCS port can reduce that time to less than 30 minutes.
Citroen will introduce the new e-C3 in two trim levels: “You” and “Max.” The base model includes LED headlights, an emergency braking system, a head-up display, power side mirrors, rear parking sensors, and cruise control. Upgrading to the Max grade adds features such as 17-inch alloy wheels, two-tone exterior paint, automatic wipers, power-folding and heated side mirrors, automatic climate control, wireless phone charging, and more.
As mentioned earlier, sales will commence with a starting price of $24,500 (23,300 Euros) based on current exchange rates. In 2025, Citroen will unveil a model with a smaller battery pack, providing 124 miles (200 km) of range on a single charge and carrying a price tag of approximately $21,050 (19,990 Euros). This competitive pricing makes the e-C3 one of the most affordable electric vehicles in Europe, nearly matching the starting price of the Dacia Spring, available at $22,300 (20,800 Euros) in France before local incentives.
