Citroën e-Berlingo
| Company type | Model |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Predecessor | Citroën Berlingo électrique (1998–2005) |
| Founded | 1996 (Berlingo series) |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
| Products | Battery-electric light commercial vehicles and multi-purpose vehicles |
| Parent | Citroën / Stellantis |
The Citroën ë-Berlingo represents the battery-electric model within the Citroën Berlingo lineup, which includes car-derived light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) manufactured by Citroën. Equivalent versions are sold under other Stellantis marques as the Peugeot e-Partner, Opel/Vauxhall Combo-e, and Fiat E-Doblò. Additionally, Toyota offers a counterpart named the Toyota ProAce City Electric.
The Berlingo series was first introduced in 1996, with an electric edition launched in 1998 known as the Citroën Berlingo électrique, which remained available until 2005. In 2010, a limited electric LCV variant called the Berlingo First Electric—developed in collaboration with Venturi Automobiles—was supplied exclusively to La Poste, though it was never marketed broadly. The second generation of the Berlingo arrived in 2008, followed by an electric LCV version revealed in 2012 under the name Berlingo Electric, created jointly with Mitsubishi Motors. Later, in 2017, the E-Berlingo Multispace, a five-seat MPV, was introduced. The third generation debuted in 2018, with fully electric models launched in 2021 as part of Stellantis’ portfolio, spearheaded by the ë-Berlingo.
Berlingo électrique
Manufactured between 1998 and 2005, the Berlingo électrique was equipped with an electric motor producing both nominal and peak power outputs of , energized by a 162 V NiCd battery pack.
Powered by Venturi
Following a 2007 call for proposals from the French postal service La Poste, Venturi Automobiles collaborated with PSA Group to develop electric vehicles. In 2008, prototypes based on the Citroën Berlingo First and Peugeot Partner Origin LCVs were constructed and trialed. After winning the contract in 2009, PSA Group delivered 250 units of the Berlingo First Electric "Powered by Venturi" to La Poste during 2010. Venturi engineered the battery-electric powertrain also utilized in the rebadged Peugeot Partner Origin "Powered by Venturi".
The PSA/Venturi Berlingo First Electric incorporated a three-phase traction motor delivering a maximum power of , offering an estimated driving range of . The drivetrain components were installed within the front compartment, ensuring that cargo capacity matched that of the conventional Berlingo. It utilized a "Zebra" molten-salt battery weighing , with an energy storage capacity of 23.5 kW-hr. Although this battery design was compact and cost-efficient, its high operating temperature necessitated frequent recharging. The onboard charger accepted up to 3.2 kW input power, and the vehicle’s total curb weight was .
To demonstrate its technological capabilities, a modified Berlingo "Powered by Venturi" completed an unassisted journey covering 14,900 km from Shanghai to Paris between May and July 2010. This vehicle was fitted with three "Zebra" batteries totaling 70.5 kW-hr capacity, while its traction motor produced and , enabling a maximum range of . In May 2012, another electric Berlingo equipped similarly completed a 5,800 km expedition from Kilimanjaro to Okavango, further validating Venturi’s electric vehicle technology under demanding conditions.
Berlingo Electric
In 2010, PSA collaborated with Mitsubishi to create electric light commercial vehicles (LCVs). By September 2012, PSA unveiled the all-new Citroën Berlingo Electric at the Hanover Motor Show, alongside its counterpart, the rebadged Peugeot Partner Electric. These models succeeded PSA's earlier electric vehicles based on the Mitsubishi i-MiEV platform, including the C-Zero and iOn, utilizing a similar drivetrain architecture.
The Berlingo/Partner Electric was equipped with a permanent magnet synchronous motor delivering and torque, energized by a 22.5 kWh lithium-ion battery positioned beneath the floor to optimize cargo space. The vans provided an estimated driving range of (NEDC) and could reach a maximum speed of . Charging options featured both a CHAdeMO DC fast-charging port and a Type 2 AC connector. Initial cargo volume measured , with a load floor length of . This launch represented PSA Group’s renewed commitment to battery-electric LCVs following the cessation of the first-generation Berlingo électrique in 2005. The vehicles became available in the UK market in April 2013.
Global sales totaled 491 units in 2016, with only 19 sold within the UK.
In 2017, PSA broadened the lineup by introducing the Berlingo Electric L2 550 LX variant, which extended the load length by to reach , increasing overall cargo capacity to . That same year, an electric version of the Berlingo Multispace MPV was introduced as the Citroën E-Berlingo, incorporating the panel van’s electric drivetrain while adding passenger seating and windows. Peugeot marketed this MPV under the name Partner Tepee Electric.
ë-Berlingo
| Brand | Light commercial vehicle (LCV) | Multi purpose vehicle (MPV) |
|---|---|---|
| Citroën | ë-Berlingo Van | ë-Berlingo |
| Fiat | E-Doblò | |
| Opel (EU) | Combo-e Cargo | Combo-e Life |
| Peugeot | e-Partner | e-Rifter |
| Toyota | ProAce City Electric | ProAce City Verso Electric |
| Vauxhall (UK) | Combo Electric | Combo Life Electric |
In 2020, PSA Group announced plans for electric variants of the third-generation Berlingo, set for release in 2021. Citroën debuted the ë-Berlingo Van in January 2021, followed by launches of Opel’s Combo-e Cargo and Vauxhall Combo-e, Peugeot’s e-Partner LCV and e-Rifter MPV, Toyota’s ProAce City Electric and Verso Electric, and Fiat’s E-Doblò in June 2022.
By January 2022, Stellantis had phased out diesel-powered MPV versions of the Citroën Berlingo, Vauxhall/Opel Combo Life, and Peugeot Rifter across UK and EU markets, concentrating exclusively on battery-electric models.
The ë-Berlingo and its badge-engineered counterparts utilize the same powertrain as the larger ë-Jumpy, consisting of a 100 kW electric motor generating 260 Nm torque paired with a 50 kWh lithium-ion battery. This configuration achieves an approximate WLTP driving range of 280 km. The motor and battery are shared among other vehicles built on the e-CMP platform such as the ë-C4. Energy efficiency ranges from approximately 2.5 to 3 miles per kWh. Charging capabilities include a standard 7.4 kW AC input with options to upgrade to 11 kW AC and support for up to 100 kW DC fast charging.
Offered in two dimensions, the XL variant features an extended wheelbase and accommodates seven passengers; meanwhile, the M version seats five. Cargo space behind the second row measures 775 liters for the M model and expands to 1050 liters in the XL. The XL passenger configuration has a kerb weight near 1801 kg.
| Specification | M | XL |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,403 mm (173.3 in) | 4,753 mm (187.1 in) |
| Wheelbase | 2,785 mm (109.6 in) | 2,975 mm (117.1 in) |
| Kerb weight | 1,664 kg (3,668 lb) | 1,801 kg (3,971 lb) |
| Range (WLTP) | 174–177 mi (280–285 km) | 167–168 mi (269–270 km) |
| Energy consumption | 227–187 Wh/km (92–112 mpg‑e) | |