Overview
The Citroën Oli is a radical, forward-thinking electric lifestyle pickup concept that challenges the automotive industry's obsession with heavy, expensive, and over-engineered EVs. Shunning the trend of massive batteries and heavy design, the Oli acts as a lightweight laboratory on wheels. It is designed around the principles of simplicity, affordability, and sustainability. It prioritises a circular economy and long-term durability. Standing at 4.2 meters long, it has a similar footprint to a compact family crossover, yet it establishes a completely unique market position by focusing strictly on the essentials needed for everyday urban and family mobility.
Key Features
- A kerb weight of just 1,000kg, about half the weight of a typical modern mid-sized family EV.
- Flat roof and bonnet panels made from recycled honeycomb cardboard reinforced with polyurethane resin, provides high structural rigidity capable of supporting the weight of a person standing on them.
- Identical and interchangeable front doors, bumpers, and protective plastic wheel arch helps to drastically reduce manufacturing complexity and repair costs.
- A vertical, completely flat windscreen designed to minimize glass surface area, lower manufacturing costs, and reduce heat from the sun inside the cabin.
- A versatile, integrated pickup truck rear load bed that features an open tailgate and a covered storage compartment.
- Upright, C-shaped front and rear LED light signatures above a rugged front bumper equipped with structural orange tow hooks.
- Modular interior uses a single cross-car beam instead of a traditional dashboard, designed to run purely off a smartphone and removable Bluetooth speakers.
Design & Interior
The exterior of the Oli utilizes a vertical, chunky design that introduces the updated retro-inspired oval logo. Because aerodynamic drag is less important during slower, urban driving, the vertical windscreen allows for a shorter nose and a highly efficient layout, using clever bonnet vents to guide airflow up and over the glass panel. The side resembles a futuristic moon buggy, with massive wheels wrapped in sustainable, long-lasting concept tyres, paired with rear-hinged back doors for a pillarless entry inside.
There, the weight-saving and minimalist philosophy means a stripped-back cabin finished in vibrant red. A conventional infotainment screen been replaced by a central smartphone dock to project data across a slim strip. Heavy, complex wiring and speakers are replaced by two dedicated docks at either end of the dashboard for portable Bluetooth speakers. The seats are very innovative, composed of only three parts, and feature an mesh backrest, 3D-printed to be flexible and to maximize natural light in the back. Carpets have gone in favour of a durable foam floor that can be easily taken out and cleaned or replaced. Air conditioning is heavy and power-hungry is has been replaced by the steep angle of the glass naturally repelling intense sun rays to help regulate cabin temperature.
Other Technical Specifications
The Oli is powered by an all-electric powertrain driving the rear wheels, fed by a compact 40kWh battery pack. Due to the vehicle's exceptionally low mass, this small car is highly efficient with over 6 miles per kWh, much better than anything currently on the market, enabling an estimated range of 248 miles. To optimize energy usage and preserve battery, the top speed of the Oli is electronically limited to 68mph. When connecting to a rapid charger, the concept is engineered with a maximum charging speed of 70kW, allowing the battery to replenish from 20% to 80% capacity in 23 minutes. It also incorporates vehicle-to-load and vehicle-to-grid power capabilities, enabling the car to power external electrical devices or feed energy back into the grid.
Production Plans
While the specific Oli concept vehicle is not intended for direct mass production in its exact form, Citroën has confirmed that a production model heavily inspired by the project will come to market. Elements of the minimalist design philosophy, cost-saving component sharing, and the distinctive blocky design language are already beginning to influence the brand's production models. The upcoming production model is expected to be built upon the cost-effective STLA Smart platform, which underpins the brand's latest affordable models like the ë-C3. It will serve as an accessible addition to the line-up, slotting alongside current family offerings, with a projected target entry price point in the region of £20,000 to deliver on the concept's promise of affordable, zero-emission family mobility.