Citroen Revives the 2CV as an Affordable Electric Car

Citroen plans to bring back its iconic 2CV as an affordable electric car in 2028, nearly four decades after the original model left production. The French automaker unveiled an early concept ahead of the Paris Motor Show, presenting a modern interpretation of the compact car with a targeted starting price below €15,000 and an estimated driving range of around 150 miles.

The revival is expected to reach British buyers for less than £13,000, according to the reported pricing target. The concept also incorporates a storage compartment designed to carry eggs, referencing the practical requirements that shaped the original vehicle.

Citroen describes the proposed electric model as an "electric, minimalist, affordable, compact and ingenious" vehicle intended to make everyday driving enjoyable again. The company says the production version will preserve the qualities that established the original 2CV as a widely recognized automotive icon.

The original car was developed from a 1936 design project created with Michelin. Development was delayed by World War II, when prototypes were concealed, and the model eventually debuted at the 1948 Paris Motor Show.

Production continued until 1990. More than 5.1 million 2CV cars were sold worldwide, including approximately 1.2 million vans, while production of related models such as the Ami, Dyane and Mehari brought the wider family's total output to more than nine million vehicles.

The original 2CV earned the nickname "tin snail" because of its rounded appearance and modest performance. Its design priorities included affordability, fuel economy, straightforward maintenance and the ability to cross rough agricultural terrain without damaging a basket of eggs.

Citroen CEO Xavier Chardon said the revival involves reinterpreting the principles behind the original rather than simply reproducing its appearance.

"It's about reinventing what made it unique: its simplicity, its accessibility and the freedom it offered," said Xavier Chardon, Citroen's CEO.

The new model also reflects growing competition in Europe's electric vehicle market. Rival Renault has attracted attention with retro-inspired electric models, including the Renault 5 E-Tech, while established automakers face increasing pressure from Chinese manufacturers.

Citroen is expected to share technology and underpinnings with a related Fiat model to help control development and production costs. The production vehicle is also expected to remain close to the concept's design, although final specifications have not been confirmed.

The prototype measures 3.76 meters long, making it shorter than the original 2CV, and is expected to weigh less than one metric ton. Citroen says the compact dimensions are intended to improve maneuverability and make driving and parking easier.

Its exterior features rounded LED headlights, pronounced wheel arches, a curved roofline, flat side windows and sculpted door handles inspired by the original design. The concept also uses 19-inch steel wheels fitted with Michelin tires.

The vehicle could qualify for Europe's proposed M1E category for electric cars shorter than 4.2 meters. The regulations remain under development, but eligible models are expected to receive financial incentives. The classification could allow the 2CV to offer a more practical driving range than smaller electric quadricycles such as Citroen's Ami.

Citroen expects the revived 2CV to enter the market in 2028, exactly 80 years after the original model's public debut at the Paris Motor Show.