Iconic Citroën 2CV Returns as $17K Electric Car

The car that gave millions of Europeans their first taste of freedom is getting a second life, and this time it runs on electrons instead of gasoline.

Citroën announced Thursday it's bringing back the iconic 2CV as a fully electric vehicle, 36 years after the quirky French classic rolled off production lines for the last time. The reborn "two horses" will cost less than 15,000 euros (about $17,400) and arrive in showrooms across Europe within two years.

"In 1948 the 2CV gave freedom of mobility to millions, and 80 years later, the new 2CV will democratize electric mobility," said CEO Xavier Chardon at a Stellantis investor event in Michigan. The prototype showcased at the event keeps the original's beloved features: the domed, ribbed hood and protruding headlights that made it instantly recognizable.

The original 2CV debuted at the 1948 Paris auto show in a single color (gray) and quickly became a cultural icon. Nicknamed "la deudeuche," it was designed as transportation for everyday people, simple enough to drive across a plowed field carrying a basket of eggs without breaking them.

Over four decades of production, the 2CV evolved into a rainbow of colors and special editions, including a yellow version that chased villains in a 1981 James Bond film. Production ended in Portugal in 1990 when tightening emissions standards made the design impractical.

The Ripple Effect

Citroën's affordable electric revival comes at a crucial moment for climate-friendly transportation. While luxury electric vehicles have dominated headlines, high prices have kept many families in gas-powered cars. The new 2CV aims to change that equation.

Parent company Stellantis, which also owns Jeep and Fiat, announced a broader campaign for small electric vehicles priced at 15,000 euros or less. All will be manufactured in Europe, with production centered at a factory in Pomigliano d'Arco, Italy.

"The future of mobility will not be won by the most complex cars, but by the simplest and most intuitive ones," Chardon said. His team plans to unveil a full version at the Paris auto show this October, bringing the 2CV story full circle to where it began 78 years ago.

Sometimes the best path forward is remembering what worked in the past and giving it new life for today's challenges.