Citroen eC3 Electric Car: A Comprehensive Review of Design, Performance, Price & Review

 In the world of automobiles, evolution is a constant process. Manufacturers strive to reinvent and rejuvenate their offerings, aligning them with the ever-evolving needs of the market and the environment. Citroen embarked on this journey with their C3 model and was described as “haute cross fun,” blending elements of sophistication and versatility. Now, Citroen has taken a bold step forward by introducing the electric variant of the C3, aptly named the Citroen eC3 and is gradually becoming one of the best EV cars in India.

The question on everyone’s mind: Does the electric incarnation retain the charm of its predecessor? Let’s dive deep into the details.

Citroen eC3: Exteriors

At first glance, the eC3 maintains the visual appeal that made its petrol counterpart a standout in the hatch-SUV category. The eC3’s exterior design remains nearly identical, preserving its upright stance and sharp, smart details. The iconic Chevron logo gracefully flows across the front, seamlessly integrating with the Daytime Running Lights (DRLs). The grille retains its open design, a departure from the sealed look often associated with electric cars. Deep creases on the bonnet add a touch of sophistication.

The eC3 proudly displays ‘e’ and eC3 badging, along with a discreet charging port flap on the right front fender. Notably, the eC3 sits slightly lower between the wheels due to the battery pack’s placement beneath the vehicle.

Read Full Features of Citroen eC3

Citroen eC3: Interiors

Step inside the eC3, and you’ll discover that the cabin boasts convenient storage options, while the dashboard features a stylish contrast-styled panel available in grey or bright orange. The steering wheel of this electric car retains its unique cubic-styled elements, and the black and white instrument panel gains additional displays for range and charging information.

Citroen eC3: Interior Add-Ons

The centerpiece of the eC3’s interior is the generous 10.2-inch touchscreen, delivering a clear and engaging interface with high-quality speakers. It seamlessly integrates wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. Passengers can enjoy the comfort of familiar seats offering excellent support for both front and rear occupants. Four adults will find ample headroom and legroom, ensuring a comfortable journey. However, accommodating five adults might feel a bit cramped due to the cabin’s narrower dimensions.

Citroen eC3: Range, Top Speed & Charging

The eC3 distinguishes itself by offering a single battery size — a 29.2kWh lithium-ion pack. Citroen claims a mileage of 320 kilometers/charge (ARAI), though real-world range expectations are typically lower, as is the case with most EV cars. A comprehensive test will be needed to assess the eC3’s actual range, performance, and charging capabilities.

Citroen eC3 is one of the best EV cars in India but it doesn’t provide a wall box charger. Consequently, charging at home via a 15A plug point will require approximately 10.5 hours to reach a full charge from 10 percent. For faster charging, the eC3 is compatible with DC fast chargers, promising an 80 percent charge in about an hour. Interestingly, Citroen notes that the eC3 can undergo DC fast charging more frequently, thanks to its lower overall charging speed.

To extend battery life, many experts recommend regular AC charging for this electric car. The eC3 adopts an air-cooled battery cooling system, which maintains low charging and discharge rates. This ensures that the battery operates within a controlled temperature range, limiting rapid temperature fluctuations. Consequently, even during DC fast charging, the charging speed is moderated, with the motor’s power consumption kept in check. The motor generates a modest 57 horsepower, while torque stands at a more respectable 143 Newton-meters. The eC3’s top speed is limited to 107 kilometers per hour.

Citroen eC3 Price in India

The Citroen eC3 is available in four different variants, with ex-showroom prices ranging from ₹11.5 to ₹12.68 lakh. The top-of-the-line variant is the Feel Dual Tone Vibe Pack, while the base variant is known as Live. You can refer to the table below for detailed pricing information based on the eC3 variants.

Variants Starting PriceLive₹ 11,50,000Feel₹ 12,38,000Feel Vibe Pack₹ 12,53,000Feel Dual Tone Vibe Pack₹ 12,68,000

Citroen eC3: Optimized Boot Space, Ground Clearance and Comfort

While the ground clearance decreases from 180mm to 170mm for this electric car, it remains more than sufficient for most urban driving conditions. The floor sees a 70mm elevation, resulting in a knees-up seating position at the rear. However, ample legroom and space under the front seats ensure a comfortable ride. Remarkably, Citroen has ingeniously integrated the entire battery pack within the car’s extended wheelbase, avoiding the need for a split configuration, unlike other electric cars in India. Consequently, the eC3 retains a spare wheel and maintains a consistent 315-liter boot space.

Citroen eC3: Seamless Electric Integration

Citroen attributes the seamless integration of the electric powertrain to the C3’s CMP platform, designed with electrification in mind from its inception. Impressively, the eC3 made its market debut merely six months after the ICE version, showcasing Citroen’s commitment to electric cars. The compact battery neatly fits within the car’s wheelbase, eliminating the possibility of a front trunk (frunk), as the motor and controller unit occupy that space.

Citroen eC3: Equipment Discrepancies and Sparse Features

Despite being one of the best EV cars in India, the equipment level remains a point of contention of one of the seemingly best EVs in India. While the eC3 boasts the significant advantage of a day/night adjustment for the interior rearview mirror (IRVM), it still lacks several fundamental features. Notably, there is no rear wash wipe or defogger, and the eC3 relies on manual air conditioning, manual outside rearview mirror (ORVM) adjustment, and shared rear power window switches. The sparse equipment level is particularly noticeable on the eC3, given its positioning in a higher price bracket than the ICE version.

Partially compensating for these equipment limitations is a connectivity suite that introduces functions like geo-fencing and intruder alert, a feature that a lot of electric cars in India don’t sport.

Citroen eC3: The Driving Experience

While the focus of this EV car may not be on high-performance, it offers a comfortable and composed ride ideal for urban environments. Acceleration from a standstill is gentle, and initial response may not exhibit the instant, brisk acceleration characteristic of many EVs. However, beyond 30 kilometers per hour, the eC3 picks up pace more effectively. Citroen claims a 0 to 60 kilometers per hour time of 6.8 seconds

Features Summary –

• Maximum speed — 107 kmph
• Claimed Range — 320 kms in a single charge
• Accelerates from 0 to 60 kmph in — 6.8 seconds
• Price — ₹11.5 Lakhs Onwards
• Charge Time — 9.5–10 hrs.
• Battery Type — Lithium-ion battery
• Color Variants — Zesty Orange, Zesty Orange With Platinum Grey, Polar White With Zesty Orange, Platinum Grey, Steel Gray With Platinum Grey, Zesty Orange With Polar White, Platinum Gray With Polar White, Polar White With Platinum Grey, Steel Grey With Zesty Orange, Polar White, Steel Grey, Steel Gray With Poler White and Platinum Gray With Zesty Orange.