The group led by Carlos Tavares, a Portuguese executive at the helm of Stellantis, has pushed forward a plan to bring an electric vehicle priced well below the 25,000 euro mark. Thierry Koskas, a longtime figure at the Citroën brand, has signaled that the project would showcase a small, cost-conscious EV designed to expand access to electric driving across Europe. The model chosen for this strategic push is the ë-C3, with production centered in Trnava, Slovakia, where costs are kept low to maximize competitiveness. In a formal unveiling, the company presented what it described as Europe’s first affordable electric car, priced at 23,300 euros and offering a range of about 320 kilometers. The objective is clear: respond to a surge of low-cost, China-origin vehicles while leveraging Trnava’s manufacturing efficiency to establish a leading position in this segment. Koskas underscored that the fight would take place on multiple fronts, especially on price, as European consumers increasingly look for practical, wallet-friendly EV options.
Instead of relying on traditional manufacturing hubs in France, Italy, Germany, or Spain, Stellantis chose Trnava to spearhead a private campaign against lower-cost Chinese imports, which the company has accused of unfair competition due to government subsidies. There is ongoing scrutiny by the European Commission into anti-competitive practices in the sector. Within the broader market, several Stellantis brands are already gaining traction, and Chinese brands such as MG, once a British marque, have reported impressive sales figures in regions like Galicia, underscoring the intensity of the price race and the importance of domestic production advantages.
To address the current market dynamic, European automakers are pressed to reduce sticker prices while maintaining respectable driving ranges. Stellantis bets on the ë-C3, the fourth generation of what Citroën staff describe as their most popular model, which accounts for a sizable share of European sales. The car is pitched as a straightforward electric experience, featuring a 320-kilometer range and rapid charging that can move the battery from 20% to 80% in 26 minutes. This package is designed to appeal to buyers who want practicality and reliability from an all-electric car without compromising daily usability.
Stellantis’s ambitions extend beyond a single launch. The company is weighing the introduction of a lower-range variant with about 200 kilometers of autonomy and a suggested price under 20,000 euros. An arrival pegged for 2025 is anticipated, with a starting price of 19,990 euros, signaling a broader strategy to broaden affordability and accelerate adoption of electric mobility across the continent.
Battery policy and government support
During the car’s launch, the deputy minister of industry, trade and tourism, Hector Gomez, participated in an event in Zaragoza to discuss aid allocations tied to the Perte VEC program for Electric and Connected Vehicles. His focus centered on potential support for a large Aragon-based battery factory, seen as a crucial component of the country’s electrification strategy. Gomez indicated a readiness to provide substantial backing to the project, noting an interim decision of 53.3 million euros, a sum that falls short of the company’s expectations and represents roughly a quarter of the requested amount. He also stressed that procedural and technical evaluation criteria must be met by all parties, and he stated that every effort would be made to improve the package to reach a favorable outcome.
Regarding other battery-related initiatives, such as Stellantis’s Vigo plant for battery assembly with a dedicated funding of 6.7 million euros or the multi-site STLA Small platform project, Gomez suggested that decisions would be clarified in the coming weeks. He affirmed that Stellantis would submit the necessary documents and that the ministry would assess them to deliver a definitive resolution. The broader implication is a coordinated strategy to strengthen Europe’s battery supply chain while maintaining competitive vehicle pricing in a market increasingly crowded with low-cost, well-equipped electric cars.
[Citation: Industry sources and press statements provide context for government support and corporate strategy. All figures and milestones are subject to official approvals and market conditions.]