Citroën Plans to Bring Back the 2CV as a Sub‑€15,000 Electric Car

Citroën is preparing to revive one of the most recognizable cars in European automotive history: the 2CV. The legendary minimalist car—first launched in 1948—may return as a fully electric city vehicle priced below €15,000, designed to make electric mobility accessible to a wider audience. Early details suggest a concept debut in 2026 and a market launch around 2028, though many specifications are still evolving.

Expected Reveal and Launch Timeline

Citroën executives have indicated that the first glimpse of the reborn 2CV will come soon. The company plans to unveil a concept version at the Paris Motor Show in October 2026, presenting the design direction for the project.

If development proceeds as expected, production could begin around 2028, placing the car’s arrival roughly 80 years after the original model’s debut.

The concept stage will likely clarify the vehicle’s styling and positioning within Citroën’s lineup before final production specifications are confirmed.

Target Price: An Ultra‑Affordable EV

The new 2CV is intended to be one of the most affordable electric cars in Europe, with a target price below €15,000.

Citroën executives describe the goal as bringing back the spirit of the original 2CV: a simple vehicle that gave millions of Europeans affordable personal mobility after World War II. The electric successor aims to play a similar role for the transition to electric transport.

Positioning it at this price point would place the car in competition with budget EVs such as the Dacia Spring and other emerging entry‑level electric city cars.

Design: Inspired by the 1948 Original

Rather than producing a direct retro copy, Citroën says the new model will reinterpret the philosophy and visual cues of the original 2CV.

Design elements likely to influence the new version include:

• A compact, minimalist silhouette
• Rounded shapes and simple surfaces
• A focus on practicality and low cost

Reports suggest the project aims to “recapture the spirit” of the classic model while integrating modern technology and safety standards.

Platform and Range: What’s Known So Far

Detailed technical specifications for the electric 2CV have not yet been officially confirmed. However, several reports indicate it could share technology with other low‑cost Stellantis EVs.

The most widely mentioned possibility is the Stellantis “Smart Car” platform, a cost‑optimized architecture already used for affordable models such as the electric Citroën ë‑C3 and related vehicles.

Using a shared platform would help reduce development and manufacturing costs—key to hitting the aggressive sub‑€15,000 price target.

As of now, no official WLTP range or battery size has been announced, and those specifications are expected to be revealed closer to the concept debut.

Where It Could Be Produced

Some reports linked to Stellantis’s affordable EV program say production for the small‑EV family—including the project inspired by the 2CV—could begin around 2028 at the Pomigliano d’Arco plant in Italy.

However, Stellantis has not publicly confirmed that this specific facility will produce the 2CV itself. For now, the manufacturing location should be considered reported but not officially finalized.

How It Fits Stellantis’s FaSTLAne 2030 Plan

The electric 2CV is expected to be part of Stellantis’s FaSTLAne 2030 strategy, a five‑year investment plan committing €60 billion (about $70 billion) to new products, technology, and manufacturing improvements.

Key goals of the plan include:

• Launching more than 60 new vehicle models by 2030
• Reducing costs and improving manufacturing efficiency
• Expanding affordable electric vehicles for global markets

Within this framework, the revived 2CV would serve as Citroën’s flagship entry‑level EV, reinforcing the brand’s reputation for accessible and practical vehicles.

What’s Confirmed vs. Still Unknown

Strongly confirmed:

• Electric revival of the Citroën 2CV name
• Target price below €15,000
• Concept reveal expected at the 2026 Paris Motor Show
• Production launch likely around 2028

Reported but not finalized:

• Possible use of Stellantis’s Smart Car platform
• Potential production at the Pomigliano d’Arco plant in Italy

Still unannounced:

• Official WLTP driving range
• Battery size and charging specifications
• Final production location and detailed design

Why the 2CV’s Return Matters

The original 2CV became one of Europe’s most beloved cars, with millions produced over decades of simple, rugged service. Reviving it as an electric vehicle reflects a broader trend in the auto industry: using historic models to introduce affordable, approachable EVs.

If Citroën succeeds in delivering a practical electric car under €15,000, the new 2CV could become a key milestone in the effort to make electric mobility accessible to mainstream buyers.