Citroën is set to offer a van version of its new e-C3, and it will cost as little as £15,500 with the plug-in van grant.

The e-C3 van will be based on the lower ‘Plus’ specification of the passenger car, but will exchange back seats for a flat load bay. There will also be a mesh bulkhead behind the front seats and the normal parcel shelf will have an extension over the full length of the loading area, to give two levels and a hidden compartment.  

The rear side windows will be covered and the car’s alloys will be replaced by steel wheels. 

Mechanically it will be identical to the passenger version, with a 44kWh LFP battery offering 199 miles of range and a 111bhp motor. Rapid charging is up to 100 kW on a DC charger and AC is at a maximum of 7.4kW. 

Other equipment levels are identical to the Plus version of the car, with electric front windows, manual air conditioning  and electrically folding exterior mirrors. The e-C3 will also use Citroën’s Advanced Comfort Suspension with Progressive Hydraulic Cushions to give a smoother ride and will have a payload of around 300kg. The rear side doors will be retained to give better load space access. 

Although prices have yet to be announced officially, the van is expected to cost around £15,500 plus VAT once the government’s plug-in van grant has been deducted.

Dacia’s Spring Cargo has a list price of £14,995 plus VAT, or £12,495 after the grant but has a range of 140 miles. Oddly though, it has a larger payload at 370kg.