Citroen preparing EV push leading up to 2023
Citroen is preparing a significant push into the electrified vehicle space, with plans to have electrified powertrains in 80 per cent of its range within the next six years.
"From 2023, 80 per cent of our vehicles will be electrified or PHEV," Citroen CEO, Linda Jackson, told AutoExpress.
Although she was light on details about which cars will drive the battery-powered push, Jackson cited growing demand for electric vehicles (EV) in China as the inspiration.
"In China they’ve gone down the electric route, so you’ve got to be present with PHEV and electrification," she said.
Central to the rollout will be a new platform, currently being developed in conjunction with Dongfeng Motors in China. An agreement between the two brands was announced earlier this year, and will see the development of an all-electric chassis based on the Peugeot Citroen (PSA) Common Modular Platform (CMP).
The first vehicles to make use of the e-CMP platform are expected in 2019. Whether the full range of EV and PHEVs will be offered in Australia, or indeed Europe, remains to be seen.
Citroen isn't the first – and won't be the last – company to make a big commitment to electric power. Volvo will have an electric motor in every vehicle it sells from 2019, as part of its plan to sell one million electrified vehicles ahead of 2025.
The company will also make its manufacturing plants carbon neutral, as part of its environmental push.
General Motors (GM) is also planning an EV offensive, with 20 new battery-electric models on the way by 2023. Even Aston Martin is making a push into electric vehicles.
But not everyone is buying into this battery-driven vision of the future. Fiat Chrysler's CEO, Sergio Marchionne, has previously cast doubt on the viability of pure electric vehicles, telling reporters the company will focus on using hybrid power to bring internal combustion vehicles into line with tightening emissions regulations.
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