A recent analysis of the Citroen e-C4 by an electric vehicle tester has uncovered several issues that could hinder its success in the UK market. Autocar’s Matt Saunders highlighted three key concerns that could impact demand for the mid-size hatchback.
First, Saunders addressed the pricing of the e-C4 compared to its competitors. Priced at £37,195, it’s almost £1,000 more expensive than its nearest rival, the VW ID3. What’s more, the Kia e-Niro, a similar sized car, can be had for almost £4,000 less. Even luxury vehicles like the Range Rover Evoque, which costs less than £40,000, offer electric power while offering more space and luxury features.
Regarding autonomy, Saunders expressed disappointment. It said the top version of the e-C4 achieved an expected range of around 230 miles during testing, while lower-end models achieved less than 200 miles. For comparison, the VW ID3 gets around 280 miles in its top models and the Mini Electric SE offers 190 miles for £7,000 less.
The charging infrastructure became an additional problem for the e-C4. While most electric vehicles face challenges with the UK’s charging system, Saunders noted that Citroen’s 100kW fast charging cannot match that of its main rivals. Data from Autocar showed the e-C4 lagged behind other major brands in terms of cargo capacity.
Overall, these pricing, range and charging infrastructure issues could impact the e-C4’s success in the UK market. So far, Citroen has not commented on these concerns.
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 luxury car
– Mercedes GLB SUV – A compact luxury SUV
