Citroen Is Bringing Back The 2CV Because EVs Got Too Expensive

Citroen plans to revive the 2CV as an affordable, European-built electric city car priced below $17,500 before incentives. The goal is to make EVs accessible rather than compete on range or luxury. The vehicle is intended as a modern reinterpretation of the classic 2CV, with a starting price under 15,000. Production will occur in Europe to qualify for the EU M1E vehicle class, which limits total length to 4.2 meters while still requiring crash and safety standards, including airbags, traction control, and some advanced driver aids. It will be built at the Stellantis factory in Pomigliano d’Arco, with a Fiat-badged sister model also planned.

"Citroen is reviving the 2CV as a small, European-built EV priced below $17,500. The new 2CV is aimed at making EVs affordable again, not chasing range or luxury. It could undercut the Renault Twingo EV and Dacia's upcoming budget electric car. Citroen wants its upcoming cheap city EV to be a modern reinterpretation of the classic 2CV after previously denying it."

"In keeping with its predecessor, the cheap car that got France motoring after the Second World War, the new model promises to be very affordable, with a starting price under 15,000, or around $17,500. This is before any incentives are applied, which in many European countries can shave thousands off the list price. Furthermore, Citroen says it will make the new 2CV this cheap while making it in Europe."

"Citroen needs to build it locally so that the new model falls into the European Union's new M1E class of cars, which is basically the EU's equivalent to the kei car' category in Japan. It limits the vehicle's total length to 165 inches (4.2 meters), but it doesn't set a width limit, unlike kei cars. M1E vehicles are still technically cars, so while they may have fewer safety features than a full-size car, they still need to meet crash and safety standards and include airbags, traction control, and some advanced driver aids."

"According to Citroen CEO Xavier Chardon, "Icons create emotion. Icons reconnect brands with people, and today one icon is about to return. Yes, the 2CV is back, adding that it will democratize electric mobility." The new 2CV will roll out of the Stellantis factory in Pomigliano d'Arco in Italy, where the Fiat Panda is currently assembled, and it's also getting a Fiat-badged sister model, which will look completely different."

Read at insideevs.com