Citroën has confirmed it will resurrect the 2CV nameplate on a new all-electric city car, with production set to begin in 2028. The target price is €15,000 (roughly $16,300 pre-tax at current rates), and the brand's CEO Xavier Chardon says the goal is the same one the original 2CV served after World War II: put personal transportation within reach of ordinary people.
What the new 2CV actually is
The car slots between Citroën's tiny Ami quadricycle and the larger ë-C3 hatchback in the lineup. Reported specs — not yet independently confirmed by the manufacturer — point to a 27.5 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, a motor producing around 80 hp, and a WLTP range (EU test standard, typically 15–25% higher than real-world results) of approximately 263 km, or about 163 miles. It rides on Stellantis's STLA Small platform, shared with the upcoming Fiat Panda electric successor, and will be built at the Pomigliano d'Arco factory in Italy. A show car is set to debut at the Paris Motor Show in October 2026.
The design reportedly references the original 2CV's rounded silhouette — the same approach Fiat took with the 500 and Renault used for its 5, both of which found buyers willing to pay a premium for retro styling. Citroën is also said to be drawing on its own ELO concept for the updated look.
Why this matters — and why it doesn't, here
The 2CV revival is a direct response to the Renault 5's commercial momentum: that car has moved more than 100,000 units in roughly 15 months, proving European buyers will accept small EVs at the right price. Stellantis is betting a recognizable nameplate and a sub-€15,000 starting point can produce similar numbers in a segment where margins are thin and Chinese imports are adding competitive pressure.
For the US market, though, this story is mostly an observer's item. Citroën does not sell cars in the United States and has no announced plans to return. There is no dealer network, no EPA certification pathway underway, and no indication the brand is pursuing the $7,500 federal EV tax credit (IRS Section 30D) eligibility that would be required to compete here. Neither Section 301 tariffs nor IRA domestic-content rules apply, because the car simply isn't coming.
The closest US-market parallel is the upcoming Fiat 500e, which shares Stellantis corporate DNA but occupies a different price tier. Anyone watching the affordable urban EV space stateside will want to track what VW, Hyundai, and GM do below the $30,000 mark instead — per Autocar, the 2CV stays European at least through its 2028 launch window.
