Citroën C3 Aircross: electric now costs the same as petrol in bold market move

Ever since the reveal of the all-new C3, I have been closely watching Citroën's strategic shift. The brand has made a clear and ambitious promise: to finally make electric mobility accessible to everyone. This approach is a direct echo of the original mission of the company's founder, André Citroën, who aimed to democratize the automobile from 1919 onwards, making it available to the masses. Today, in the midst of the energy transition, this challenge has never been more relevant. The French brand is no longer just making promises; it is delivering on them in a spectacular fashion. In Germany, a bold commercial initiative has just been launched, positioning the new C3 Aircross as a true game-changer: for the first time, the 100% electric version is being offered at the exact same price as its petrol-powered counterpart. This price parity could very well accelerate automotive history.

A groundbreaking offer in Germany removes the cost barrier

The main obstacle to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles has consistently been their higher purchase price. Citroën has decided to shatter this barrier in the German market. With disarming simplicity, the brand now offers its new ë-C3 Aircross in the "Standard Range" trim at a price identical to the equivalent petrol C3 Aircross. The leasing offer is just as compelling: a monthly payment of €199 with no down payment, regardless of whether you choose the silent operation of the electric motor or the versatility of the internal combustion engine. This simple yet powerful proposition grants customers complete freedom of choice, without a financial penalty for selecting the forward-looking technology. For those considering this offer in Germany, it is important to note that it is a limited-time promotion, valid for all new contracts signed by October 31, 2025. Thomas Goldboom, Managing Director of Citroën Germany, perfectly summarizes this philosophy: "Mobility for everyone—that is our promise. With the ë-C3 Aircross, we are demonstrating that electric mobility does not have to be more expensive. We offer our customers the choice, at the same price." These are not just marketing words; they represent a genuine industrial and commercial strategy aimed at redefining the rules of the game.

The C3 Aircross: the new benchmark for smart, accessible B-SUVs

This aggressive pricing on the electric model is just the most visible part of a broader strategy embodied by the C3 and C3 Aircross duo. In the highly competitive B-SUV segment, the prevailing trend has been a steady move upmarket, with a corresponding rise in prices. Most manufacturers have evolved their models to be larger and more technologically advanced, but also significantly more expensive. Citroën is bucking this trend. The new C3 Aircross achieves the remarkable feat of having a base price nearly €5,000 lower than the previous generation, without becoming a low-quality vehicle. On the contrary, it gains more character with a more assertive design inspired by the Oli concept car, retains the brand's DNA for comfort, and integrates the modern connectivity and safety features expected by today's families. This achievement makes Citroën's position in the market unique. While competitors like Dacia are known for affordability, they do not yet offer such price parity between petrol and electric powertrains. By offering a stylish, comfortable, and practical B-SUV that is now just as affordable in its electric version as it is in its petrol one, Citroën gains a considerable competitive advantage and sends a strong message to the entire industry.

In conclusion, the successive launches of the new C3 and C3 Aircross are more than just model renewals. They represent a bold and coherent vision for the future of the brand. Citroën is reaffirming its role as a manufacturer for the people in the noblest sense of the term: one that makes innovation and mobility accessible to the many, not just the few. By succeeding in offering vehicles with strong design, emblematic comfort, and modern technology while breaking down price barriers—especially for electric models—the brand is doing more than just following a trend. It is creating one. Making an electric car as simple to choose and as economical as a petrol model is perhaps the most faithful and modern interpretation of the promise André Citroën made over a century ago. It is an approach that feels as unique as it is refreshing in today's automotive landscape.