Citroen e-C3 set to be UK’s cheapest electric supermini

• Impressive £21,000 entry price
• Range of around 186 miles
• Vauxhall Corsa Electric and MG4 rival

The Citroen e-C3 will be one of the UK’s most affordable electric cars when it launches in early 2024.

The new electric supermini – a reinvention of the C3 – is expected to start from £21,000 (25,000 euros), a price point that significantly undercuts competitors such as its Stellantis stablemate the Vauxhall Corsa Electric and the MG4.

Thierry Koskas, CEO of Citroen, has confirmed that the e-C3 will be built on cost-effective EV underpinnings dubbed the Smart Platform, which enables the firm to lower costs without compromising on quality. Despite its affordability, the Citroen e-C3 will offer a range of more than 300km (186 miles) and will retain similar dimensions (“a four-metre length” according to Koskas) to the outgoing petrol-powered C3. Battery size and electric motor details are yet to be revealed, though.

While the design of the Citroen e-C3 remains under wraps, it may draw inspiration from the recent Citroen Oli concept car, shown here. Koskas also hinted at the possibility of a B-segment SUV, similar to the Jeep Avenger and Vauxhall Mokka Electric. It’s uncertain whether this SUV would share the Smart Platform underpinnings with the e-C3, and a production version of this model is unlikely to materialise before 2025.

One of the key factors behind the e-C3's comparatively low price is Citroen's ‘fair deal’ pricing strategy, with the firm aiming to eliminate the need for haggling. According to Koskas, this strategy not only simplifies the buying process but also helps Citroen fend off increasing competition from affordable Chinese electric vehicles expected to enter the UK market in the coming years.

Koskas acknowledged the challenge and emphasised the brand's commitment to competitiveness. While recognising the Chinese brands’ cost advantage, Citroen intends to leverage its more than a century-long history, extensive sales network and widespread reach to demonstrate its value proposition.

The e-C3 is slated for a debut in autumn, with sales starting in the first quarter of 2024. A larger follow-up to the existing C3 Aircross baby SUV is expected to arrive later next year.

For an even cheaper electric car from Citroen, read our in-depth review of the Citroen Ami…