- Citroen introduced the eC3 electric hatchback recently
- The prices are yet to be revealed by the brand
- The eC3 gets a claimed range of 320 Km per charge
- The brand claims support for back-to-back DC fast charging
- Citroen is expected to also offer the eC3 to cab/fleet buyers
Citroen has revealed the eC3 in India and is expected to announce the prices and officially launch the electric hatchback by March - April this year. We expect the french automaker to price the new EV aggressively in the range of Rs 9 lakh to Rs 12 lakh (ex-showroom). According to media reports and rumors, Citroen is also expected to offer a specific cab/fleet variant of the eC3 to cab/fleet operators & buyers. The eC3 could prove to be a good choice for fleet/cab operators as there are many positives that underpin this new EV from Citroen. Here we have discussed the top 5 positive reasons that are compelling enough to make you choose this electric hatchback for your fleet/cab business.
Reason 1: Good Boot Space
One of the most important and practical requirements of any cab/fleet operator is a car with a good boot space to carry the luggage of customers and passengers. As the eC3 gets a floor-mounted battery pack that is spread across the floor of the car, the boot space of the electric hatchback remains uncompromised. The eC3 gets the same 315 litres of boot space as the ICE-powered C3.
Reason 2: Engineered For Back-To-Back DC Fast Charging
Unlike the segment rivals like Tiago EV, Tigor EV and Xpres-T EV, the Citroen eC3 can be charged back-to-back at the DC fast charging points/stations without causing any harm or degradation to the battery health. Thus, the cab/fleet operators or drivers do not require to do an AC slow charging between two DC fast charging cycles. This will help them save time and earn more profit by being on road rather than at charging points/stations. The suggestion/advisory from OEM for 1 to 2 AC slow charging cycles between 2 DC fast charging cycles is something that all the eC3 rivals come with. On the other hand, Citroen has clearly stated that the eC3 has been designed and engineered for back-to-back DC fast charging cycles. With DC fast charger, the new eC3 can be charged from 10% to 80% in just 57 minutes.
Reason 3: Spacious Interiors
The ICE-powered Citroen C3 in itself is a very spacious car. Whether it's length, width, or height, all the dimensions in the eC3 remain the same as that of ICE C3. Also, just like the ICE C3, the eC3 too comes with ample headroom due to the taller cabin design. Moreover, to place the battery pack on the floorboard of the EV, Citroen has decreased the ground clearance by 10mm to 170mm, rather than increasing the floor height inside the cabin. This makes the legroom and under-thigh support in the eC3 as good as the ICE C3. Also, with a fully flat floor in the rear, and no transmission tunnel hump in the middle of the car, 3 passengers could easily and comfortably sit in the rear of the eC3.
Reason 4: Extremely Comfortable Ride
The comfortable ride quality has been the USP of the brand Citroen. It is synonymous with each and every car of the french brand. The new ICE-powered C3 and the eC3 electric too, carry the same legacy of the brand and offer the best in segment ride and suspension quality. The ride comfort levels offered by the eC3 make it a perfect choice for cab/fleet operators who want a car in which the customer/passenger feels extremely comfortable and relaxed, even if the car is going through bad roads, broken/tough surfaces, potholes, etc.
Reason 5: Decent Real World Range
With an ARAI claimed range of 320 km per full charge, the eC3 also gives tough competition to the rival EVs like Tigor EV & Nexon EV Prime which are placed one to two segments above the eC3. However, with technologies like a 29.2 kWh battery pack, regenerative braking & eco/standard drive modes, and along with a possible real-world range of 200 km to 250 km on a single full charge, the eC3 fits perfectly in the role of a fleet/cab vehicle that can cover more miles without requiring to charge in between. This can help the drivers & operators save on charging time and maximize the profit by covering more distance per day.
Also Read: Nissan Ariya Compact Crossover EV Caught On Camera In India: Details
Verdict: We expect Citroen to aggressively price the fleet/cab variant of eC3 between Rs 9 lakh to Rs 11 lakh (ex-showroom). The aggressive pricing strategy can help the french brand to give tough competition to Tata's Xpres-T EV sedan which gets a price tag of Rs 13 to Rs 13.5 lakh (ex-showroom).
