The Citroën ë-C3, an electric vehicle tailored for the Indian market, is encountering a lukewarm response from retail customers but gaining ground among fleet buyers, underscoring the evolving dynamics of India’s electric vehicle (EV) landscape.
Manufactured locally with cost-saving modifications, the India-specific Citroën ë-C3 debuted in February 2023 but has struggled to capture the attention of individual buyers. In a bid to boost its presence, Citroën secured a deal to supply 4,000 units to BluSmart Mobility, a leading EV service provider, and has initiated delivery with an initial batch of 125 units. Following this, a similar agreement was reached with OHM E Logistics for an additional 1,000 units.
OHM E Logistics, known for its electric airport transfer and intra-city cab services in Hyderabad and Secunderabad, has already incorporated the first 120 units into its fleet and plans to integrate the remaining 880 units by June 2025.
Despite its local modifications and affordability, the India-made Citroën ë-C3 has faced criticism for its safety standards. It received a 0-star rating for adult occupant safety and a one-star rating for child occupant safety in a Global NCAP crash test, highlighting the growing emphasis on vehicle safety in India’s regulatory landscape and among consumers.
Additionally, the vehicle has been scrutinized for lacking essential features, premium elements, and performance refinement, contributing to its subdued market performance. Passionnément Citroën, a French publication dedicated to Citroën, reported that the ë-C3 achieved just over 2,800 units in annual sales in 2023, contrasting with Tata Motors’ robust sales of 21,072 units of the Nexon EV, a larger and more expensive competitor in the B-segment.
The India-made Citroën ë-C3 is equipped with a 57 kW/143 Nm motor, enabling acceleration from 0 to 100 kph in 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 107 km/h. It features a 29.2 kWh LFP battery pack, which lacks liquid cooling and supports charging speeds up to 30 kW. Despite an official range of 320 km (MIDC), Citroën has indicated that real-world range will be approximately 240-250 km.
With prices starting at ₹12,76,300 (approximately €14,000), the India-made variant is positioned as a cost-effective alternative to its Euro-spec counterpart, which is priced from €23,300 onwards in France.
As the Indian EV market continues to evolve, the reception to the Citroën ë-C3 underscores the diverse challenges and opportunities in this dynamic sector.
