The French automotive manufacturer Citroen has joined hands with BluSmart Mobility, one of the nation's most well-liked electric cab aggregators. Under this partnership, the carmaker has offered its sole electric model, eC3 to the latter for use as a taxi. Following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU), the maker announced that it would give the electric mobility startup 4,000 eC3 hatchbacks for a 12-month term. For the uninitiated, the electric offering went on sale in India in February last year with a starting price tag of Rs 11.50 lakh. The model can be had in three variants: Live, Feel, and Shine. The top-of-the-line version is priced at Rs 13.50 lakh. Both mentioned price figures are ex-showroom.
Shishir Mishra, Brand Director, Citroen India, introduced the first BluSmart C3 into service, stating, "This collaborative effort between Citroën and BluSmart Mobility signifies a shared vision for a sustainable future in the realm of electric mobility, reaffirming our commitment to shaping a cleaner and greener transportation ecosystem. The e-C3's smart design, operational range, fast charging capabilities, and intuitive technology, are both comfortable and practical, making it an attractive proposition for passengers and fleet operators. BluSmart's foray in the shared electric mobility space is a well applauded initiative that offers convenient and safe urban mobility without any tailpipe emission strengthening our collective mission to decarbonize cities by making EVs mainstream."
Sharing his thoughts on the partnership, Anmol Jaggi, Cofounder & CEO, BluSmart said, "Having a shared vision of achieving net-zero mobility, providing premium, reliable, and safe ride experience, Citroen is the ideal partner for BluSmart. With the mission to 'Decarbonise Mobility at Scale', we are dedicated to constructing a comprehensive EV mobility ecosystem in India, encompassing the nation's largest all-electric ride-hailing service and an extensive network of EV charging superhubs. As more OEMs embrace eMobility, and our fleet size expands, we are poised to address the burgeoning demand for ride-hailing services in Indian megacities while offering riders a diverse range of advanced EVs."
Meanwhile, here's a detailed look at the eC3's specs and feature details.
Citroen eC3: Battery Pack and Range
Speaking of the model's mechanical aspect, the eC3's front axle-mounted electric motor, which generates 56bhp of maximum power and 143Nm of peak torque, is driven by a 29.2kWh battery pack. With this power, the eC3 can attain a top speed of 107km/h. Moreover, the EV boasts an ARAI-certified 320-kilometre driving range and two charging options. The first is a DC fast charger that can charge the battery from 10% to 80% in 57 minutes, and the second is an onboard AC charger with 3.3kW that can fast charge CCS2 batteries. The owners may charge the car at home as well; a full charge from 10% to 100% takes 10.5 hours. On top of that, it boasts regenerative braking and two driving modes: Eco and Standard.
Citroen eC3: Feature Suite and Rivals
With a 10.2-inch touchscreen, leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear wiper and washer, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 15-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, a four-speaker audio system, rear parking camera, and a height-adjustable driver's seat, the higher-spec Feel variant has many of the same features as the petrol model. The eC3 also has connected car technologies thanks to the MyCitroen Connect app. With its thirty-five smart features, owners may monitor the car's charging status, location, driving style, and the nearest charging station. For safety, it also has dual airbags and ABS with EBD installed.
The hatchback competes with the Tata Tiago EV and the Tigor EV in the domestic market and is a reasonably priced alternative for the likes of the Mahindra XUV400 and the Tata Nexon EV.
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