Following the reveal of the French carmaker’s latest rebrand, the Oli is a concept that encapsulates the new direction Citroen wants to head in.
The eye-catching EV has a strong focus on sustainability and affordability with its use of low-weight recyclable materials. A small 40kWh battery helps keep the Oli down to an impressive kerb weight of just 1000kg.
The Oli’s exterior is made out of several panels that are interchangeable in an attempt to reduce manufacturing and repair costs. Citroen also made use of honeycomb cardboard panels instead of steel in specific non-structural sections of the vehicle to increase recyclability and reduce weight.
One of the most notable aspects of the Oli is its peculiar design and shape. A short vertical windscreen, that sits at a right angle from the bonnet, is lighter and cheaper to produce than your average windscreen but does sacrifice efficiency and aerodynamics.
Speed isn’t one of Oli’s strong points as it maxes out at 68mph. However, a range of 248 miles could be possible which would be more than enough for commuters.
Recharging the battery from 20 to 80 per cent can be easily achieved in under half an hour and vehicle-to-load (V2L) compatibility makes the Oli a versatile and useful vehicle for people on the go. The exterior even has many features to allow drivers to attach accessories for outdoor exploration.
As with all concept models, it’s important to remember that many of these features and design aspects might not make it to a future production model. However, some of the ideas displayed by Citroen on the Oli could end up reappearing on future models the brand puts out down the line.
