More and more new electric models are planned for less than €25,000, good news for future buyers. After Renault and Volkswagen, Stellantis unveils its plans with Citroën e-C3 and Fiat Panda.
Stellantis boss Carlos Tavares hasn’t really made his affordable future models a hobbyhorse. However, the group of 14 brands is slowly starting to position its pawns so as not to be completely eclipsed from the entry level. Citroën will be the first brand in the group to market a 100% electric model for less than €25,000, an announcement confirmed in June. On August 5, 2023, it was the turn of the Fiat manager to confirm to Bloomberg the arrival in 2024 of the electric Fiat Panda at less than €25,000.
While waiting for really affordable electric car models, at less than €20,000, we must already be delighted with the announcements of models at less than €25,000. For the moment, only the Dacia Spring reigns supreme in this price category. At best, we then find the Renault Twingo ZE and the Leapmotor T03, a little above 25,000 € before (possible) bonus. Things will start to move from 2024, when new models will gradually appear.
“A real need for more affordable electric vehicles”
In his interview with Bloomberg, Olivier François, head of the Fiat brand, is well aware that there is a “a real need for more affordable electric vehicles “. The future model intends to appropriate some market share from the Renault group’s Dacia Spring.
This electric novelty from Fiat would make its debut in July 2024. The model would be inspired by the Panda: a vehicle without frills, but practical. This role was initially to be held by the Cientoventi concept, but it is difficult to know for the time being whether this is still relevant.
With such a price, it is possible to imagine that the future electric Panda will be offered as part of social leasing at €100/month. The future Citroën ë-C3 is already expected to play this role as well.
Elements shared with the future Citroën ë-C3
Olivier François indicates that he is “very likely that there are synergies with the platform used for the new Citroën ë-C3. No further information regarding the technical details will be shared by the Fiat official. We will have to wait until the fall, when the Citroën e-C3 is revealed, to find out a little more about it.
The future Citroën ë-C3, which is announced for Europe, would not have the same characteristics as the versions already marketed in India and South America, neither on aesthetics nor on technical specifications. We should expect a simple vehicle 4m long, but which would aim for a range of 420 km – a surprising figure that we are waiting to see confirmed. It would be produced in Europe (Slovakia) to ensure obtaining the future ecological bonus.
In any case, there will inevitably be synergies with other models. It is clearly no longer in Carlos Tavares’ strategy to make models for a single brand. Each development must be made as profitable as possible, especially in the context of low-cost models, with which it is more difficult to generate comfortable margins.
In theory, the two Stellantis models should give priority to the Renault 5 and the Volkswagen ID.2 on the French market. In any case, this promises a particularly lively year 2024.
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