Overview
Citroën 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. Previously, Peugeot owned a 89.95% stake in the company.
But of course, Citroën started life in 1919 in a much humbler context. The company was founded by André Citroën, a French industrialist. Though Citroën has had many successful models, the Citroën 2CV certainly stands out. The car was unveiled in 1948 and remained in production up until 1990. In total, over 9 million 2CV variants were manufactured during this period. In 2009 Citroën announced the introduction of a premium brand ‘DS’ (Different Spirit/ Distinctive Series). Citroën is present in 101 countries and has a network of 6,200 points of sale and service throughout the world.
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
- All-electric Citroen ë-C3
- All-electric Citroen ë-C4
- All-electric Citroen ë-C4 X
- All-electric Citroen ë-Berlingo
- All-electric Citroen ë-Spacetourer
- Citroën C5 X Plug-In Hybrid
- All-electric Citroen Ami
Electric Cars: The Basics
For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:
Sign up to the e-zoomed Electric Living newsletter
The Citroen C5 X PHEV SUV
Citroën is well known for its quirky styling, and the Citroën C5 X plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) does not disappoint. At first glance it is difficult to recognise the body type, as the plug-in hybrid blends a number of car body styles.
The French automotive manufacturer describes the exterior styling as ‘in a class of its own, New Citroën C5 X achieves the perfect mix of a traditional large saloon with its long and imposing bonnet, a practical estate with its large boot and the raised posture of an SUV thanks to its large-diameter wheels’.
It does not matter which way you look at it, the Citroën C5 X has a distinctive look and is certainly good looking! The aggressive roofline styling further enhances the appeal of the plug-in hybrid car, which is also available as a bi-tone colour option.
The C5 X plug-in hybrid electric car has a decent emission-free electric range up to 34 miles (WLTP certified). The 12.4 kWh onboard EV battery can meet the needs of most families keen to take advantage of the lower cost of electric driving. Do keep in mind that a vast number of trips in the UK are below 10 miles, and a 34 miles electric driving range is sufficient for day-to-day journeys.
The PHEV has a 7.4 kW onboard charger, which is perfect for charging at home via a dedicated single-phase EV charger. The electric SUV can be charged up to 100% in 2 hours! The EV does not offer DC charging. We at e-zoomed recommend charging the EV at home, overnight, when the electricity prices are cheaper. Where possible, try and secure a dedicated EV energy tariff plan for charging an electric car. Also, do try to combine residential solar with EV charging.
Though the CX 5 is also available as a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) variant, we encourage choosing the PHEV variant, given the very low cost of driving a PHEV on the pure electric mode. Depending on when and where the electric vehicle (EV) is charged, the cost per mile will be between 5 pence and 10 pence.
Moreover, by topping up on a regular basis, the EV can be driven without tailpipe emissions for most commutes. Plug-in hybrid electric cars are also a great way to get more familiar with lower emission electric driving, without having to worry about range anxiety!
The front-wheel drive CX5 PHEV pairs a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor (80 kW). The EV can achieve 0-62 mph in 7.8 seconds (maximum power: 225 HP). The top speed on the electric car is 145 mph. The CX5 EV has a claimed fuel economy up to 236.2 mpg. Though, real-world fuel economy will be lower than claimed economy, using the e-mode on a regular basis will improve the fuel economy and lower the cost of driving.
The C5 X plug-in electric car is filled with technology, to include, a 12″ central touch screen with MyCitroën Drive Plus, an extended-head-up display, driver assist, 360 degree camera vision and long-range blind, front & rear parking sensors, spot monitoring system, keyless entry and start, wireless smartphone charging and more!
The electric car has a practical and spacious interior, enhanced by the excellent 360 degree visibility (glass coverage -the panoramic sunroof is optional). The rear seats have ample legroom and headroom and the extra seat padding do make them very comfortable! The boot (485 L) is not as large as some of the competitors, but still practical for daily commutes and weekend getaways!
Company-car drivers can take further advantage of the lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK-12%) tax rate, given the lower tailpipe emissions of the plug-in electric car (34g CO2/km). The electric vehicle (EV) is available in three trims to include Sense Plus, Shine and Shine Plus.
The EV does not qualify for the UK government plug-in car grant (PiCG). Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet. You can lease electric vehicles at very competitive prices via e-zoomed!
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
Good looking and quirky exterior styling | Electric range not as good as alternatives |
Good and comfortable interior space, to include rear seats | Smaller boot than competition (485 L) and rear headroom a little tight |
A refined drive | DC charging not available |
The Citroen C5 X Plug-In Hybrid SUV (credit: Citroen)
At A Glance | |
---|---|
EV Type: | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) |
Body Type: | SUV |
Plug-In Car Grant (PiCG): | Not Available |
Engine: | Petrol/ Electric |
Available In UK: | Yes |
Variants (3 Options) |
---|
Citroen C5 X Sense Plus (from £35,650) |
Citroen C5 X Shine (from £37,150) |
Citroen C5 X Shine Plus (from £39,140) |
EV Battery & Emissions | |
---|---|
EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 12.4 kWh |
Charging: | DC charging not available. Onboard charger: 7.4 kW (0%-100%: 2 hours) |
Charge Port: | Type 2 |
EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
Tailpipe Emissions: | 30 – 34g (CO2/km) |
EV Battery Warranty: | 8 years or 100,000 miles |
Average Cost Of Residential Charging | |
---|---|
Battery net capacity : 8.8 kWh | £1.27 |
Battery net capacity : 11.6 kWh | £1.67 |
Battery net capacity : 12.0 kWh | £1.73 |
Battery net capacity : 13.10 kWh | £1.89 |
Battery net capacity : 14.10 kWh | £2.03 |
- Note 1: The average cost of residential electricity in the UK varies depending on the region, supplier and type of energy used. An average for the UK is 14.40 p/kWh.
- Note 2: Not all EV manufactures make available the data on net EV battery capacity, and in a number of instances the EV battery capacity advertised, does not state if it is gross or net capacity. In general, usable EV battery capacity is between 85% to 95% of the gross available capacity.
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) |
- Note 1: SoC: state of charge
Dimensions | |
---|---|
Height (mm): | 1485 |
Width (mm): | 1865 |
Length (mm): | 4805 |
Wheelbase (mm): | 2785 |
Turning Circle (m): | N/A |
Boot Space (L): | 485 |
Citroën C5 X | |
---|---|
EV Battery Capacity: | 12.4 kWh |
Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 34 miles |
Electric Energy Consumption (Wh/km): | 159 |
Fuel Consumption (mpg): | 186.2 – 236.2 |
Charging: | DC charging not available. Onboard charger: 7.4 kW (0%-100%: 2 hours) |
Top Speed: | 145 mph |
0-62 mph: | 7.8 seconds |
Drive: | Front-wheel drive (FWD) |
Electric Motor (kW): | 80 |
Horsepower (hp): | 225 (combined) |
Torque (Nm): | 360 |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Seats: | 5 |
Doors: | 5 |
Minimum Kerb Weight (kg): | 1,722 |
Colours: | 6 |
NCAP Safety Rating: | N/A |
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.