The Smart Car platform allows for the fitment of both petrol (badged C3 Aircross) and electric powertrains.
Currently, just one electric setup is available that comprises a 111bhp motor on the front wheels and which draws power from a 44kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery pack. It is claimed to allow 186 miles of driving between recharges, down 17 miles compared with the ë-C3 with which it shares the setup.
A larger battery will become available later this year, boosting range to more than 250 miles, Citroën claims. Either version can be recharged at rates up to 100kW via a DC charger.
While around town the ë-C3 Aircross has the same wafty feel and light handling as the combustion car; increase the speed and the weight can be felt.
Since the C3 Aircross is not meant to be sporty anyway, the extra weight is no big deal. If anything, the electric version feels slightly more planted.
The regen settings are set to a medium strength, which is nice and easy to acclimatise to, allowing for most of the non-stopping braking to be done without needing to touch the brake pedal. Sadly, there is only one drive mode so you can’t adjust the regen level, and one-pedal driving is not offered.
Another criticism is that the electric powertrain’s power delivery is a tad laggy, rather than the more immediate response you get with other EVs, such as Vauxhall’s Corsa Electric Stellantis stablemate.