A recent test drive of the Citroen e-C4 by an EV tester has revealed several issues that may hinder its success in the UK market. Writing for Autocar, Matt Saunders highlighted three main concerns that could affect demand for this mid-sized hatchback.
Firstly, Saunders addressed the price of the e-C4 in relation to its competitors. Priced at £37,195, it is nearly £1,000 more expensive than its closest rival, the VW ID3. Additionally, the Kia e-Niro, a similarly-sized car, is available for nearly £4,000 less. Even luxury vehicles like the Range Rover Evoque, priced below £40,000, offer electric power while providing more space and luxury features.
Regarding the range, Saunders expressed his disappointment. He claimed that in testing, the top-spec version of the e-C4 achieved an expected range of around 230 miles, while lower-tier models fell below 200 miles. In comparison, the VW ID3 reaches about 280 miles in its top-line models and the Mini Electric SE offers 190 miles for £7,000 less.
The charging infrastructure became a further concern for the e-C4. While most EVs face challenges with the UK’s charging system, Saunders noted that Citroen’s 100kW rapid charging is not on par with its key rivals. Autocar’s data showed that the e-C4 fell behind other major brands in terms of charging capabilities.
Overall, these issues with pricing, range, and charging infrastructure could impact the e-C4’s success in the UK market. Citroen has not provided any comments on these concerns.
Sources: Autocar
Definitions:
- EV – Electric Vehicle
- VW ID3 – Volkswagen ID3, an electric car model
- Kia e-Niro – Kia e-Niro, an electric car model
- Range Rover Evoque – A luxury SUV
- BMW 3-series – A compact executive car
- Mercedes GLB SUV – A luxury compact SUV