Electric superminis might be the next big thing in the automotive industry, but this doesn’t mean that the concept is new. The Citroen Saxo Electrique was among the early adopters of the technology in the late ’90s, with a nicely preserved example being listed for sale on eBay, targeting EV fans and collectors.
Not many people are aware that the Citroen Saxo and Peugeot 106 siblings were available with a zero-emission powertrain. The “Electrique” models were not as widely available as their ICE-powered counterparts, making good examples hard to find nowadays.
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Sky Automotive
The pictured Citroen Saxo Electrique was bought new back in 1999 and spent its life with a single owner. Even though it was allegedly used as a daily driver, it only has 72,721 km (45,187 miles) on the odometer showing minimum signs of wear for its age. The owner claims that the electric range is currently around 60 km (37 miles), which is lower than the original advertised value of 90 km (56 miles). This degradation is considered normal for the nickel-cadmium battery pack that’s nearly 25 years old. Nevertheless, a thorough battery check is recommended.
While the range figures are no match for a modern electric supermini, they are close to what you get from a brand-new Citroen Ami. Furthermore, the Saxo Electrique is faster than the heavy quadricycle, with a top speed of 90 km/h (56 mph) thanks to the air-cooled electric motor that produces up to 27 hp (20 kW / 27 PS). Despite the extra weight from the batteries, the EV is still comparably lightweight, tipping the scales at 1,095 kg (2,414 lbs).
Spot The Differences
From the outside, the Saxo Electrique looks just like the ICE-powered model, aside from the charging port that is mounted on the front fenders. Likewise, interior differences are limited to a special gauge for the battery level that replaces the obsolete rev counter, and the absence of a gear shifter.
Sky Automotive
Modern batteries have no issue supplying energy to all of the vehicle’s sub-systems, but things were different in the past. The Citroen Saxo Electrique came with a gasoline-powered auxiliary heater by Webasto, sourcing fuel from a 12-liter tank. This quirky solution preserved the battery juice for driving, ensuring that the heater and A/C worked fine. As you would expect from a small hatchback of the era, the equipment is rather spartan, including power steering, electric windows, remote locking, and a driver’s airbag.
The model is currently listed on eBay and Mobile.de for a price of €4,850 ($5,220) which is a lot more than any ICE-powered Saxo from the same era. In a quest to justify the pricing, the listing by Sky Automotive describes the Saxo Electrique as a “collector’s vehicle with a high potential for increasing value”.
What happened to the “Electrique” program?
According to the French Wikipedia page, a total of 5,500 units of the Citroen Saxo Electrique were produced, with some of them participating in pilot programs for EVs in France. Believe it or not, the model had a predecessor – the AX Electrique – although the lack of profitability and the slow sales led to its discontinuation without a successor.
Today, the Citroen E-C3 fulfills a similar role in the French automaker’s lineup, offering much more in terms of technology and practicality at an affordable price.
H/T to Unique Cars For Sale in Europe / Facebook
