Citroën Brings Back Iconic 2CV as $17,400 Electric Car

Finding an electric car that doesn't drain your bank account has become surprisingly difficult. Now a legendary French automaker is solving that problem by reaching back to 1948 for inspiration.

Citroën just confirmed the iconic 2CV is coming back as a fully electric vehicle priced below €15,000, or about $17,400. CEO Xavier Chardon announced the revival at a Stellantis investor event in Michigan, promising the car will be 100% electric and built in Europe.

The original 2CV debuted at the Paris auto show in October 1948 and became France's ultimate everyman vehicle. Practical, simple, and wonderfully cheap, it earned the affectionate nickname "la deudeuche" and gave millions of people their first taste of personal mobility.

Production ended in Portugal in 1990, partly due to stricter European emissions rules. After more than three decades, Citroën believes its spirit belongs in the electric age.

Chardon said the 1948 model gave "freedom of mobility to millions," and the new version aims to "democratize electric mobility." In a market where most EVs start well above $30,000, that's not just marketing speak.

Citroën has already shown the exterior to journalists and analysts, according to AFP reports. The revamped 2CV keeps signature visual elements from the original, including the distinctive domed ribbed hood and protruding headlights.

Modern safety and road regulations will likely force some design updates before production begins. Still, the company is committed to honoring the car's unmistakable character.

The Ripple Effect

This isn't just about one affordable car hitting the market. If Citroën succeeds, it could push other automakers to prioritize accessibility over luxury features and profit margins.

The move signals a bigger shift in how Europe thinks about electric vehicles. Instead of treating EVs as premium products for wealthy early adopters, companies are finally remembering that cars should serve everyone.

A version of the car is expected to debut at the Paris auto show this October, with retail sales planned within two years. Citroën plans to market the car primarily in Europe, where the original became a cultural icon.

The people's car is going electric, and this time it might actually be for the people.