Citroen e-C5 Aircross

A COUPLE of weeks ago (Issue 1,902), we were mightily impressed when we tested Citroen’s C5 Aircross as a plugin hybrid, but now it’s time to try the all-electric model. The two look identical; all that’s changed is the powertrain.

- Jordan Katsianis

Citroen might be onto something here, though. Thanks to the UK Government's Electric Car Grant, the e-C5 Aircross could be the affordable family EV that customers have been waiting for. Starting at just over £34,000 before the grant in its entry-level You! trim, it’ll hit the market at a sensationally low price, considering its size and standard equipment.

If you want more kit, the Plus and Max editions rise to around £36,500 and just over £39,000. Crucially, all models fall below £40,000, which means they'll slip under the VED threshold for luxury cars too.

With that in mind, the e-C5’s initial powertrain offering and the middle-of-the-road figures matter a lot less. For now Citroen is offering a single 73kWh battery option, which is claimed to power the car from 0-62mph in 8.9 seconds via a 210bhp motor.

Peak DC fast-charging is on par for the class at 160kW, and will get the battery from 20-80 per cent capacity in under 30 minutes. AC charging is capped at 11kW for now, but a 22kW option is on the way. Citroen quotes a range of 322 miles for this variant, with 250 miles more realistic in daily use – and plenty for most owners.