Citroën has opened orders for the new long-range version of its ë-C3 Aircross SUV, which qualifies for the Government’s Electric Car Grant discount.
Equipped with a new, larger 54kWh battery for up to 249 miles of range (WLTP), it joins the existing Standard Range version that features a 44kWh battery for 188 miles of electric driving.
Better still, it’s one of the first models to qualify for the Government’s Electric Car Grant (ECG) that’s available for private buyers and fleets. The Citroën gets the lower-band £1,500a discount, which drops the OTR price from £24,995 to £23,495 for the entry-level trim and from £26,995 to £25,495 for the higher trade. That’s a £1,900 price difference from the Standard Range version, which starts at £23,095 before the ECG or £21,595 with it.
The long-range Citroën arrives just days after sister brand Vauxhall launched the technically similar Frontera Electric Extended Range.
As with the Frontera, the new ë-C3 Aircross Extended Range combines its 54kWh battery with a 113hp electric motor.
The ë-C3 Aircross Extended Range is capable of DC rapid charging up to 100kW, ensuring charging from 20% to 80% charge takes as little as 28 minutes. Meanwhile, using a 7kW charger, it can charge from 20% to 80% in just over five hours.
Despite the bigger battery there is no compromise on space. At 4.39 metres in length, the five-seater version offers the best interior space in row two in its segment, while its 460-litre boot volume is best-in-class, according to the brand.
It also carries over the standard version’s Citroën Advanced Comfort programme, featuring Advanced Comfort seats and Advanced Comfort suspension with Citroën’s patented Progressive Hydraulic Cushions for “ultimate comfort”.
The Extended Range is available on both Plus and Max trim levels. All models are equipped as standard with 17-inch diamond-cut bi-tone alloy wheels, a 10.25-inch touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a reversing camera, as well as the Visibility Pack, which includes automatic rain-sensing front windscreen wipers, rear windscreen wiper with intermittent mode and ‘Welcome’ and ‘Follow-Me-Home’ lights.
Plus trim level models feature a new dashboard, complete with the Citroën Head-Up Display and a compact steering wheel.
The Max trim level adds front and lateral parking sensors, a heated acoustic windscreen, as well as a bi-tone roof available in either black or white. In addition, Max features blind spot monitoring, integrated fog lights and LED rear lights. Inside, a heated steering wheel and heated front seats are included, along with a wireless smartphone charger.
The new ë-C3 Aircross Extended Range is one of several Citroën EVs priced at under £30,000; also including the Ami 100% ëlectric, ë-C3, ë-C4 and ë-C4 X.
| Trim Level | Powertrain | WLTP Combined Range (Miles) | On the Road MRRP | Electric Car Grant Value | On The Road MRRP (After ECG) |
| Plus | Ë-C3 Aircross 113hp Extended Range Automatic | 249 | £24,995 | £1,500 | £23,495 |
| Ë-C3 Aircross 113hp Standard Range Automatic | 188 | £23,095 | £1,500 | £21,595 | |
| Max | Ë-C3 Aircross 113hp Extended Range Automatic | 248 | £26,995 | £1,500 | £25,495 |
| Ë-C3 Aircross 113hp Standard Range Automatic | 188 | £25,095 | £1,500 | £23,595 |
