Drivers of Citroën’s C5 Aircross SUV Hybrid will now get in-car notifications if they don’t recharge their plug-in hybrid regularly.

The in-car notifications are being applied with immediate effect in the UK and France, and will roll out to a number of other European countries from 1 December 2021

The brand said the ‘Plug-in Reminders’ would help drivers help further optimise the efficiency of their plug-in hybrid vehicles and reduce their impact on the environment.

The alerts are provided via messages the vehicle’s touchscreen that activate after five days have passed and 10 journeys have been made without recharging the vehicle. A similar alert will also feature on the brand’s forthcoming new C5 X Hybrid flagship model when it launches in 2022.

The change is being applied with immediate effect in the UK and France as part of an ‘over-the-air’ update to the vehicles’ software and does not require customers to visit a Citroën dealer.

It’s the latest work among OEMs to help ensure drivers charge their plug-in hybrids rather than just relying on the internal combustion engine – Volvo has previously offered free electricity to drivers of its PHEV models.

Citroën data currently shows that 55% of journeys of less than 25 miles are made using electric-only power and 52% of customers already recharge their vehicle once or twice every 62 miles.

The update will roll out to a number of other European countries from 1 December 2021.