The Indian-assembled Citroen e-C3 electric cross-hatchback, equipped with two airbags, received 0 stars for adult protection following a crash -Global NCAP tests, experts are calling on Stellantis Corporation to improve the security of its budget model, but it is not a fact that their prizes will be heard.
The Citroen e-C3 tested with the factory designation CC21 is a global model on the Smart Car platform for emerging markets; it has been produced since 2022 in India and Brazil. The new European Citroen e-C3 is also based on the Smart Car platform, but it has a much higher basic level of safety systems compared to its global namesake. The European Citroen e-C3 has not yet participated in the Euro NCAP crash tests, but the global Indian-assembled Citroen e-C3 failed the modest Global NCAP test program, consisting of only three crash tests — one frontal and two side, with a side impact on a pole the Indian Citroen e-C3 did not pass because it is not equipped with side airbags.
Citroen e-C3 for the Indian market 1/3 
Citroen e-C3 for the Indian market 2/3 
Citroen e-C3 for the Indian market 3/3
Indian Citroen as standard The e-C3 only has two front airbags. Side airbags and the ESC stabilization system are not provided even as an option, as are seat belt pretensioners and Isofix anchorages for child seats. The passenger airbag cannot be switched off, that is, a child seat cannot be installed in the front seat.
A frontal impact at 64 km/h on a deformable barrier installed with a 40% overlap on the driver's side revealed high brown stress levels on the driver dummy's chest and feet, indicating a risk of severe injury. A critical red load level is recorded on the chest of the passenger dummy, indicating a high risk of death in an accident. Dummies imitating children in child seats secured with adult belts dangled around the cabin during a frontal impact and received multiple bruises and injuries.
The Indian Citroen e-C3 coped relatively well with a side impact at a speed of 50 km/h on a deformable barrier: the borderline orange load level was recorded only on the dummy’s head, the rest of the body was safe. Final rating: 0 stars for adult protection and 1 star for child protection.
The Citroen e-C3 became one of the last Indian cars to pass the Global NCAP program; there will be no new ones, since this year in India, at the instigation of the local authorities, its own BNCAP program (Bharat New Car Assessment Program) started working: it uses a slightly updated Global NCAP protocol with the same three crash tests and is intended to encourage manufacturers operating in the Indian market to improve the level of safety of their cars.
It was previously assumed that from October 2023 six airbags will become mandatory in India for all new cars, but this innovation met with stiff resistance from automakers. The BNCAP program is voluntary, so you can continue to drive cheap cars with two airbags, but to get a high BNCAP rating you need at least six airbags and other basic equipment, including an ESC system and Isofix mounts. The updated Tata Harrier/Safari crossover has already been tested using the BNCAP protocol; it successfully earned 5 stars.
Whether Stellantis will modify its Indian Citroen e-C3 under the BNCAP protocol is still unknown. The share of the Citroen brand in the Indian market at the moment is only 0.2%; the Citroen e-C3 cross-hatchback sold only 2,360 copies here last year — too small volumes to spend on modernization, especially since after it the electric car is noticeably will rise in price.