Citroën ELO Concept: The Electric Minivan Reborn for a New Era

By bike_ev_admin December 10, 2025 4 min read

For years, we’ve watched the classic minivan fade into obscurity as SUVs took over every driveway in Europe and beyond. But Citroën, being Citroën, has never been one to follow trends blindly. Instead, they’ve resurrected the once-beloved minivan with a bold electric vision: the Citroën ELO Concept — a bright, modular, city-friendly EV created as a “laboratory of ideas” for how people will rest, play, and work inside future vehicles.

And yes, Citroën insists the minivan deserves a comeback — just with an all-electric twist.

A Return to the Single-Box Shape, Reinvented for EV Life

The ELO Concept (named for rEst, pLay, and wOrk) embraces something most modern cars have abandoned: unapologetic utility. Built on a dedicated electric platform, the ELO uses its unique one-box silhouette to maximize interior volume — something EVs excel at.

Despite its compact footprint — 4.10 meters long, about the size of a former C3 Picasso — the ELO looks nothing like Citroën’s previous small MPVs. Its tall, squared LED lights, sliding doors, and glowing front badge make it instantly recognizable on dense city streets. And the sliding doors don’t just slide — they open to create a massive 1.92-meter-wide entry, turning the cabin into an inviting open space.

The futuristic look is completed with 21-inch aerodynamically covered wheels, proof that utility and flair can coexist.

A Cabin That Breaks Every Rule: Orange, Modular, Transformative

Inside, Citroën throws out every modern design convention. The ELO’s cabin is drenched in vibrant orange tones, shaped around modularity rather than dashboards full of screens.

Some highlights:

🔸 Central driving position

Instead of sitting on the left or right, the driver sits in the middle of the cabin, unlocking perfect forward visibility and balancing the interior layout.

🔸 Four- or six-seat flexibility

Two removable seats sit behind the driver, with a three-seat bench at the rear. Need a meeting room? A lounge? A family hauler? The ELO becomes any of these in seconds.

🔸 A fully swiveling driver seat

Turn it around, and the entire front becomes a collaborative space.

🔸 A minimal, screen-light cockpit

A slim display lives beneath the windshield, while the steering wheel is replaced by a joystick-inspired controller, proving that intuitive design doesn’t require a giant touchscreen.

🔸 Clever built-in storage everywhere

Door cards and side panels hide multiple storage solutions, reinforcing Citroën’s focus on function-first design.

From Travel to Cinema to Bedroom — Instantly

The ELO Concept stays true to its name by transforming effortlessly:

Rest mode: durable inflatable Dropstitch mattresses unfold to create a sleeping zone.
Play mode: a drop-down interior screen turns the cabin into a private cinema.
Work mode: seating reconfigures into a mobile meeting area.

For an EV built for city life, this level of adaptability is something SUVs cannot match.

Citroën’s Message Is Loud and Clear

CEO Xavier Chardon says the ELO is “a powerful message that carries our vision of what Citroën should be.”
Design Director Pierre Leclercq calls it “a burst of energy” designed around efficiency and joy.

The concept will make its official debut at the Brussels Motor Show in January 2026. While the ELO itself won’t reach production, Citroën confirmed its ideas — and likely much of its shape — will influence a new subcompact EV arriving around 2028.

Why the ELO Concept Matters

It challenges the idea that SUVs must dominate the EV era.
It shows how electric platforms can reinvent interior space.
It taps into a rising trend: multi-functional vehicles for people who live, work, and travel flexibly.
It repositions Citroën at the front of bold, human-centered automotive design.

The minivan might not just be back — it might be smarter, brighter, and more future-ready than ever.