1
0
MUMBAI, 28 September 2022: Earlier this week, Citroen India teased the debut of a new electric vehicle, which may be the C3 electric version.
On September 29, Citroen will unveil this brand-new car, which is scheduled to start selling in Indian market at the beginning of 2023.
What can we expect from the Citroen C3 EV?
The CEO of the Stellantis group, Carlos Tavares, had stated earlier that a small, under-4-meter electric vehicle is headed for India the following year and will be built on the same platform as the C3 hatchback. It will be created here and be a part of Citroen’s C-cubed programme for India.
The modular eCMP platform, which is modified from the ICE platform to accommodate an electric motor and a battery pack, might therefore serve as the foundation for the C3 EV.
The Peugeot e-208 and the recently introduced Jeep Avenger are two electric vehicles (EVs) that are already supported by this platform, which was designed with electrification in mind.
Tavares has also stated that the company’s initial EV in India is intended to be affordable. The C3 EV will be constructed in Chennai with over 90 percent localization, while the batteries will initially be imported.
Spotted testing on local roads
The C3 EV has already been spotted testing on local roads a few times; the only part of it that was disguised appeared to be a charging socket on the front right fender.
The electric C3 has so far mostly resembled the ICE-powered vehicle in other areas. Inside, the C3 EV is anticipated to have the same dashboard layout and feature set as its gasoline-powered sibling.
However, Citroen may take use of this opportunity to add some extra features to an otherwise sparsely equipped model.
Technical specification unknown
The C3 EV’s technical specs are currently unknown, but if global versions built on the same platform are any indication, the vehicle will likely use a 50 kWh battery and have a 350 km range. An electric motor on the front axle will be powered by the batteries and have a 135hp output.
Is Citroen working on anything else for India?
Citroen will be working on other electrified cars based on the eCMP platform after the C3 EV, covering body types such MPVs and CUVs. Additionally, the company was recently observed testing a three-row C3 hatchback, which you can read about here.
With the introduction of the C3 EV, Citroen will join Tata Motors and Mahindra Electric as one of the few producers at the cheaper end of the EV spectrum. As Maruti and Hyundai’s affordable EVs are still a few years away, this will allow them to advance other well-known manufacturers like them. In our market, the C3 EV is anticipated to compete with vehicles like the Tata Nexon EV Prime.
