Citroën is a leading French automobile manufacturer, now owned by Netherlands based Stellantis N.V., which was formed by the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (Italian/ American) and Groupe PSA (French). Stellantis owns a diverse and comprehensive portfolio of leading automotive brands, to include, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Jeep, FIAT, Alfa Romeo etc. Previously, Peugeot owned a 89.95% stake in the company.
But of course, Citroën started life in 1919 in a much humbler context. The company was founded by André Citroën, a French industrialist. Though Citroën has had many successful models, the Citroën 2CV certainly stands out. The car was unveiled in 1948 and remained in production up until 1990. In total, over 9 million 2CV variants were manufactured during this period. In 2009 Citroën announced the introduction of a premium brand ‘DS’ (Different Spirit/ Distinctive Series). Citroën is present in 101 countries and has a network of 6,200 points of sale and service throughout the world.
The Citroen electric vehicle (EV) portfolio includes both, battery-electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models:
For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:
The Citroen C4 hatchback has been manufactured since 2004. The current third-generation C4 was introduced in 2020, with a new body style, a transformation from a hatchback to a more crossover/ SUV type exterior design. The Citroen all-electric E-C4 variant was also introduced in 2020. The E-C4 battery-electric vehicle (BEV) is built on the CMP platform.
For families keen on migrating to zero-emission electric driving, but keen on a more affordable price point and decent practicality, the pure electric e-C4 has much to offer. Though the EV does not have the largest onboard EV battery, the 50 kWh battery on offer is still a reasonable size.
The manufacturer claims an emission-free electric range up to 217 miles (WLTP). Even adjusting the EV range for real-world driving conditions, one can expect to achieve close to 185 miles on a fully charged battery.
Given that the majority of day-to-day driving are short commutes i.e. school-runs, grocery store, gym, local high street etc, the 185 miles e-range is more than sufficient. Even for those that need to commute to work, weekend trips etc, the EV has a respectable electric range. Moreover, the all-electric Citroën e-C4 offers DC charging capability up to 100 kW and can be charged up to 80% in 30 minutes, enough time to get a coffee and a quick bite on the motorway!
For home charging, the manufacturer provides a 7.4 kW onboard charger as standard, with an option to upgrade to a 11 kW onboard charger. Given that most homes in the UK have single-phase power supply, very few will need to upgrade to the 3-phase 11 kW onboard charger.
Of course, if you have access to three-phase charging at home or at the workplace, then worth upgrading to 11 kW. Using a dedicated single-phase electric car charger like myenergi zappi, the electric hatchback can be fully charged in 7 hours and 30 minutes. We at e-zoomed discourage the use of a 3-PIN domestic plug to charge an electric car.
In terms of performance, the pure electric e-C4 family car will not set the heart racing, but it will certainly do the job. The front-wheel drive electric vehicle (EV) can achieve 0-60 mph in 9.0 seconds. The EV delivers a maximum power up to 136 hp (torque: 260 Nm). The top speed is 93 mph. Again, it is worth labouring the point that the core proposition for this electric car is not performance, rather it is affordability and practicality.
Indeed, affordability, is a key determinant for higher ticket family purchases like a car. Given the termination of the UK government plug-in car grant (PiCG) in 2022, retail pricing matters. Having said that, electric driving is far cheaper per mile compared to driving a conventional petrol or diesel car.
Depending on the cost of charging, the cost per mile can be as little as 5 pence! We at e-zoomed recommend charging overnight at home when the electricity prices are cheaper. Company-car drivers can also benefit from the lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK-2%) tax rate for pure electric cars.
The exterior styling of the e-hatchback is attractive given its unmistakable coupé roofline. Though Citroën markets the EV as a family hatchback, it does demonstrate many characteristics usually found in a crossover/ SUV body style. The EV is practical and versatile without compromising on quality and comfort. The rear seats are comfortable for adults, with ample legroom and headroom. The boot size on offer is also reasonable (380 L).
Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet. You can lease electric vehicles (EVs) via e-zoomed at very competitive prices!
The All-Electric Citroen E-C4 Hatchback (credit: Citroen)
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