🚗 Citroën ë-C3 Electric Car: A Stylish, Affordable EV for Indian Roads (2025 Review)
The electric vehicle (EV) segment in India is rapidly expanding, with both established and new automakers introducing innovative models tailored to Indian driving conditions. Among these, Citroën ë-C3 stands out as a stylish, practical, and budget-friendly electric hatchback. As Citroën’s first all-electric offering in India, the ë-C3 blends European design with smart functionality, making it a compelling option for urban commuters looking to switch to electric mobility in 2025.
🇫🇷 A French EV for Indian Cities
Citroën, a well-known French automotive brand, has steadily increased its presence in India. With the ë-C3, Citroën targets value-conscious buyers who want an eco-friendly alternative without compromising on design, practicality, or comfort. Launched as the electric version of the ICE-based C3, the Citroën ë-C3 retains the funky SUV-inspired styling while replacing the fuel engine with a zero-emission powertrain.
🔋 Citroën ë-C3 electric car Specifications at a Glance
- Price: ₹11.50 – ₹12.68 lakh (ex-showroom)
- Battery Capacity: 29.2 kWh
- Driving Range: Up to 320 km (MIDC cycle)
- Power Output: 57 hp, 143 Nm torque
- Top Speed: 107 km/h
- Charging Time:
- Home Charger (3.3 kW AC): ~10.5 hours (0-100%)
- DC Fast Charger: ~57 minutes (0-80%)
- Boot Space: 315 litres
- Ground Clearance: 170 mm
- Seating Capacity: 5 adults
💡 Design and Interior of Citroën ë-C3 electric car
Citroën’s DNA is visible in every element of the ë-C3’s design. With bold color options, muscular wheel arches, roof rails, and a high stance, the car gives off SUV vibes in a compact hatchback body. Dual-tone paint schemes add youthful flair, making it attractive to young urban buyers.
Inside, the dashboard features a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a digital instrument cluster, and premium-quality plastics. The cabin is spacious, especially for a car in this segment, and comfortably seats five passengers. Although it lacks a few premium finishes, the interior feels practical and built for daily usability.
⚙️ Performance and Driving Experience of Citroën ë-C3 electric car
The ë-C3 is powered by a single electric motor delivering 57 hp and 143 Nm of torque to the front wheels. While these figures may seem modest, the car handles city conditions effortlessly. Acceleration is smooth, and regenerative braking helps conserve energy during stop-and-go traffic.
Thanks to its compact size and light steering, navigating narrow city lanes and parking in tight spaces is stress-free. Although it’s not designed for high-speed highway driving, it performs reliably at city speeds with adequate comfort and safety.
⚡ Charging and Range of Citroën ë-C3 electric car
One of the highlights of the ë-C3 is its MIDC-certified range of 320 km, which translates to approximately 230–250 km in real-world conditions, depending on traffic, usage, and AC consumption. For most urban users, this is more than sufficient for daily commutes.
While the DC fast-charging option is a major plus, Citroën does not provide a fast-charging cable as standard. The 3.3 kW home charger, included with the car, takes about 10.5 hours for a full charge—ideal for overnight charging.
✅ Safety and Features of Citroën ë-C3 electric car
The ë-C3 offers a basic but essential safety package:
- Dual front airbags
- ABS with EBD
- Reverse parking sensors
- Seatbelt reminders
- High-speed alert system
While it lacks advanced driver-assistance features (ADAS) and a rear parking camera, it covers the fundamentals well for its price segment.
🎯 Pros and Cons of Citroën ë-C3 electric car
👍 Pros:
- Affordable pricing for a full-electric hatchback
- Unique SUV-like styling in a compact body
- Spacious and practical cabin
- Good real-world range for city driving
- French brand appeal with solid ride comfort
👎 Cons:
- No rear camera or advanced safety features
- Limited fast-charging support
- No adjustable steering or rear wiper
- Performance may feel underpowered on highways
🔍 Who Should Buy the Citroën ë-C3 electric car?
The ë-C3 is ideal for:
- Daily city commuters looking for low running costs
- First-time EV buyers seeking a practical and reliable option
- Environment-conscious drivers wanting a budget EV
- Young professionals who value design and uniqueness
If you don’t need high-end luxury or blazing-fast performance but still want an efficient EV that looks great and gets the job done, the Citroën ë-C3 should definitely be on your shortlist.
🏁 Final Verdict
The Citroën ë-C3 electric car is a smart, urban-focused electric hatchback that stands out for its quirky design, comfortable ride quality, and affordable price tag. While it may not be the most feature-loaded EV in the market, it offers real value for money and makes electric mobility more accessible to Indian car buyers.
With fuel prices rising and Indian cities moving towards greener transportation, the ë-C3 is a timely addition to the EV lineup and a serious competitor to the likes of the Tata Tiago EV and MG Comet EV.