Citroen revives the minivan era with the electric ELO Concept

We spent the last decade watching the minivan slowly vanish as most automakers decided the SUV was the undisputed king, forcing the humble van into history books. Clearly, the French automaker Citroen missed that memo. Or they ripped up the note and replaced it with a bold, bright orange vision. Citroen's newly unveiled ELO concept is a rolling "laboratory of ideas" that says the humble, boxy shape built around pure utility still has a bright future, especially when powered by batteries.

The ELO concept (named for rEst, pLay, and wOrk) is a throwback to a time when Europe's roads were full of compact vans built for families. Citroen's designers essentially created a vehicle designed to handle everything: travel, relaxation, leisure, and even work. The ELO, which stands out with its single-box proportions, is built on a fully electric architecture - a smart move that maximizes interior space, something modern electric cars do best. Though the company hasn't shared the details on the motors or battery pack, Citroen does confirm the ELO's "natural habitat" is busy urban areas.

In size, the ELO is compact but mighty. It measures 13.45 ft long, roughly the same length as the company's former C3 Picasso and a bit longer than current e-C3. In shape, however, it looks nothing like them. The exterior features a distinctive, van-like silhouette, with squared-off LED lights front and back and a large, glowing Citroen badge up front. Drivers and passengers access the cabin through large sliding doors that create a huge 6.3 ft wide opening. The concept rides on eye-catching 21-inch wheels with futuristic covers, completing a look that is both utilitarian and surprisingly whimsical.

Inside, the ELO breaks every rule of modern car design. The cabin is an unapologetic burst of color with a modular layout in an intense orange theme. It can hold either four or six people, depending on the need. The driver sits in the middle of the vehicle, not on the side, with two removable passenger seats positioned slightly behind, followed by a full three-person bench in the rear. This setup allows the front seat to swivel completely around. With a twist, the driver can turn the front of the EV into a meeting space or a comfortable living room.

Practicality is key in this design experiment. Instead of a bulky, cluttered console, the ELO has a slim display that sits beneath the windshield, and the steering wheel itself is a futuristic shape with two joystick-style controls and simple stalks. This unique setup means the driver never needs to touch a traditional touchscreen - a brave decision in today's tech-filled electric cars. The design is full of clever storage solutions hidden within the door cards and side panels, reminding everyone that this vehicle focuses on function first.

Living up to its name, the ELO transforms seamlessly for rest and play. When it is time for a nap, the rear of the cabin turns into a sleeping area thanks to a pair of tough, inflatable mattresses made of a material called Dropstitch, which can be easily stored in the trunk. For entertainment, a drop-down screen can turn the spacious interior into a full home theater. This high degree of flexibility shows how Citroen plans to use its dedicated EV platform to create a genuine multi-purpose vehicle.

Citroen's CEO Xavier Chardon called the concept "a powerful message that carries our vision of what Citroen should be," while Design Director Pierre Leclercq described the ELO as "a burst of energy" built around efficiency. This specific concept will debut at the Brussels Motor Show in January 2026 and won't be going into production, but the design will likely influence a future subcompact model expected around 2028.

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