Citroën Saxo éléctrique

In the 1990s, Citroën along with other manufacturers, undertook research into electric vehicles and one year after the AX éléctrique, it was the turn of the Saxo which was built by Heuliez.

From the outside, the electric version of the Saxo is all but identical to those powered by internal combustion engines with only the badge and the charging flap on the right front wing giving the game away.

The same holds true for the interior which is standard apart from a circular energy gauge calibrated from 0% 0 100% which showed the energy available. When the needle entered the orange segment, it was advisable to recharge the batteries and when it entered the red segment, only a matter of minutes remained before it expired. The other interior changes were the lack of a gear lever and clutch. To select reverse, one operated a pushbutton on the dashboard.

Under the bonnet was a transversely mounted electric motor and transmission incorporating the differential and twenty nickel/cadmium batteries manufactured by SAFT. The electric motor which weighed 72 kg was made by Leroy Somer, had a nominal power output of 11 kW with a maximum of 20 kW and generated maximum torque of 12.7 Nm between 0 and 6,500 rpm and could be revved safely to 8,000 rpm. The motor was cooled by air, the amount of cooling being determined by a computer. The batteries were liquid cooled. Each battery weighed 13.7 kg making a total weight of 274 kg.

The regulation of the motor, brakes, charging, distribution of energy were regulated by a Sagem control unit.

There was an auxiliary battery which powered the lights, wipers and radio and there was a petrol-powered heater.

The Saxo éléctrique had a top speed of 91 km/hr (56 mph) and a range of 80 km (50 miles). It was available in three and five door versions both of which cost 84,300 F as well an Entreprise (commercial) variant which sold for 67,700 F.

This schematic shows the layout of this electric car.
At the top left is the domestic electrical supply (1) which charges the batteries (4). Below that is the auxiliary battery for the lights, wipers and radio (10)