Citroen e-C3 2026 in Japan: Price, Range and Charging Time

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The electric Citroen e-C3 Max costs ¥4.25 million in Japan, but it doesn’t get adaptive cruise control or blind-spot monitoring. Automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist are included, yet the driver still has to set their own highway speed — an unexpected trade-off for a new EV.

The model launched in Japan on May 14, 2026. The base Plus trim is priced at ¥3.999 million, and the Max at ¥4.25 million. A 44 kWh battery delivers 388 km of WLTC range, and CHAdeMO fast charging at up to 100 kW brings the battery from 20 to 80% in about 26 minutes. Battery pre-conditioning is available only on the top trim.

The front electric motor produces a modest 113 hp and 125 Nm. The 0–100 km/h sprint takes around 10.4 seconds, and top speed is capped at roughly 130 km/h. On the plus side, a curb weight of 1,470 kg is low for an EV, so the lack of punch is barely noticeable in everyday driving.

During a 309.8 km test, most of it on the highway, the onboard computer showed consumption of 19.8 kWh/100 km. The rated figure is 13.2 kWh/100 km, so on fast routes real-world range can come in well below the claimed 388 km.

The e-C3’s strong suit is ride comfort. The Progressive Hydraulic Cushions suspension and soft seats smooth out bumps without the stiffness typical of heavier EVs. The handling isn’t sharp, but the car stays predictable and stable. Even starting it is deliberately simple: insert the metal key and turn it, even though there’s no starter motor to speak of in an EV.

There’s an interesting pricing detail too. The hybrid C3 Max costs ¥3.64 million, meaning the electric version is ¥610,000 pricier. At launch, the e-C3 qualified for a ¥490,000 government subsidy: meet the conditions, and the gap shrinks to around ¥120,000.

In the end, the e-C3 isn’t about record-setting performance or a full suite of driver aids — it’s a comfortable city EV with fast charging. Buyers will have to decide whether a soft ride matters more than the adaptive cruise control they’d use every day on the highway.

Earlier in Europe, the electric Citroen e-C3 undercut the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 with a promo price below €17,000.