The Citroen E-C4 Electric Hatchback: The Complete Guide For India

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Electric Cars: The Basics

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For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:

For those keen on an overview of the Indian and global electric vehicle (EV) market, simply scroll down to the end of the article!

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The All-Electric Citroen E-C4 Hatchback

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Citroen 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. The Citroen electric vehicle (EV) portfolio includes both, battery-electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models: 

• Citroen C5 Aircross plug-in hybrid SUV
• Citroen C5 X plug-in hybrid SUV
• Citroen E-C4 electric hatchback
• Citroen ë-C4 X electric saloon
• Citroen E-Berlingo electric
• Citroen E-Spacetourer electric
• Citroen AMI electric

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 350 km (WLTP). Even adjusting the EV range for real-world driving conditions, one can expect to achieve close to 300 km 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 350 km 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 India 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 0-100 km/h in 9.0 seconds. The EV delivers a maximum power up to 136 hp (torque: 260 Nm).

The top speed is 150 km/h. Again, it is worth labouring the point that the core proposition for this electric car is not performance, rather it is affordability and practicality. Electric driving is far cheaper per km compared to driving a conventional petrol or diesel car.

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! The Citroën electric car is not available in India.

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PROS	CONS
A practical and spacious electric vehicle for families	Only available in one battery size
Interior quality good and standard specification decent	Electric range not as impressive as other EVs
100 kW DC charging standard	11 kW on board charger not a standard option

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The All-Electric Citroen E-C4 Hatchback (credit: Citroen)

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At A Glance
EV Type:	Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV)
Body Type:	Hatchback
Engine:	Electric
Available In India:	No

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Trims (1 Option)
Citroen E-C4 (from ₹ N/A)

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EV Battery & Emissions
EV Battery Type:	Lithium-ion
EV Battery Capacity:	Available in one battery size: 50 kWh
Charging:	100 kW DC charging (0%-80%: 30 mins). Onboard charger: 7.4 kW Standard (0%-100%: 7hrs 30 mins)/ 11kW AC available as an option
Charge Port:	Type 2
EV Cable Type:	Type 2
Tailpipe Emissions:	0g (CO2/km)
Battery Warranty:	8 years or 160,000 km

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Charging Times (Overview)
Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW):	6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC)
Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW):	3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging AC (43 kW):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging DC (50 kW+):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Ultra rapid charging DC (150 kW+):	0-80% : 20 mins to 40 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Tesla Supercharger (120 kW – 250 kW):	0-80%: up to 25 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)

• Note 1: SoC: state of charge

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Dimensions
Height (mm):	1520
Width (mm):	1800
Length (mm):	4360
Wheelbase (mm):	2670
Turning Circle (m):	10.9
Boot Space (L):	380

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e-C4
EV Battery Capacity:	50 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	350 km
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km):	160
Charging:	100 kW DC charging (0%-80%: 30 mins). Onboard charger: 7.4 kW Standard (0%-100%: 7hrs 30 mins)/ 11kW AC available as an option
Top Speed:	150 km/h
0-100 km/h:	9.0 seconds
Drive:	Front-wheel drive (FWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	100
Horsepower (hp):	136
Torque (Nm):	260
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	5
Unladen Weight (kg):	1,650
Colours:	7
NCAP Safety Rating:	Four-Star

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India Electric Vehicle (EV) Market

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India, like many other countries, is well positioned to benefit from the shift to zero-tailpipe emission electric driving. Road transportation is a major contributor to air pollution (over 30%), choking our towns, cities and villages across India.

Diesel vehicles, in particular, diesel trucks and diesel buses, are significant sources for tailpipe emissions. But given the rise in the standard of living, since liberalisation, the demand for privately owned passenger cars has increased at an unprecedented pace, further worsening the air quality. India has more than 3 crores (30 million) cars releasing tailpipe emissions on its roads!

Though we have seen some improvements in air quality during the ongoing pandemic (as a result of lower vehicle traffic), India’s shift to electric driving will be key in achieving long-term higher air quality.

Of course, apart from EVs, the continued development of green and renewable energy infrastructure will be key in achieving lower long-term air pollution. India has already demonstrated global leadership in regards to large-scale solar and wind projects! Hopefully, India will replicate the success with zero-emission electric vehicles.

Despite recent announcements and support from local and national government agencies in India, the EV market is still at a nascent stage, well, at least in terms of electric cars and electric vans. Two-wheel electric scooters and three-wheel electric rickshaws (e-rickshaws) have demonstrated a strong uptake, and India is poised to become a global leader in electric scooters and electric rickshaws (e-tuk).

In fact, the ubiquitous e-rickshaw commands an impressive 83% of the Indian electric vehicle market. India currently has over 15 lakhs (1.5 million) e-rickshaws, with each EV playing a role in reducing tailpipe emissions on our roads in India.

Sales of passenger electric cars is still at an early stage. In FY2021, though the market witnessed a growth of nearly 110% from the previous year, the absolute volume of cars sold was only 5,905 electric cars. Currently there are less that 15 pure electric car models available on sale in India.

Tata Motors, the biggest automotive manufacturer in India has launched the Tata Nexon electric SUV. Mahindra Electric, another leading Indian automotive manufacturer, has also launched a number of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs), to include, the Mahindra eVerito electric car, Mahindra eSupro electric van and Mahindra e2o Plus compact electric car. International manufacturers, like UK based MG Motors, have also launched the MG ZS electric SUV in India. Also available are the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE SUV and the Hyundai Kona electric SUV.

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Global Electric Vehicle (EV) Market

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Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), more commonly referred to simply as, electric vehicles (EVs) or as plug-in electric cars, have come a long way over the past decade and certainly a long way over the past 100 years.

Electric vehicles came into prominence in the early 1900’s, a time when horse-drawn carriages were the primary mode of transportation.  Archived black and white photographs from that period show famous avenues like Madison Avenue in New York city filled with horse-drawn carriages.  In stark contrast, a similar photograph taken a decade later of Madison Avenue showed not a single horse-drawn carriage.  Instead the avenue was filled with motor vehicles, a new invention at that time. 

We are now witnessing a similar fundamental shift in road transportation, as polluting internal combustion engines (ICE) petrol and diesel vehicles are being replaced by low-emission and zero-emission electric vehicles. In countries like the United Kingdom, a leader in e-mobility, we can expect a comprehensive replacement of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 (UK will ban the sale of new ICE cars in 2030). The UK is not the only country that has a vision of a mass transition to zero-tailpipe emission electric cars.

Since 2011, the global electric vehicle (EV) market has increased at a year-over-year growth rate of over 50%. In 2020, according to the Global EV Outlook 2021 report, the global stock of electric vehicles (EVs) had surpassed 10 million units . In 2015, the Global stock was just over 1 million units.

In 2020, Europe accounted for the largest share of new car registrations of EVs (1.4 million registered electric vehicles), followed by China (1.2 million electric vehicles). In Europe, countries like Norway, Iceland and Sweden continue to show strong leadership in the transition to electric driving. In Norway more than 75% of new cars are electric, followed by 50% in Iceland and 30% in Sweden.

However, this is not just a western phenomenon. A number of countries across the world have announced their support for electric cars, to include India. Pure electric cars are now common sightings in a number of global markets, and EV automotive manufacturers, like California based Tesla Motors are now household brands.

Traditional automotive manufactures have also shown significant commitment to the migration to electric engines, to include Volvo Cars, the Volkswagen Group, Renault, Nissan, Peugeot, Hyundai, Mercedes, Land Rover and many more. Forecast for the sale of EVs suggest up to 30 million electric vehicles to be sold before the end of the current decade.

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While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.

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