Citroën has unveiled a new electric concept car with some radical new ideas for the future of sustainable motoring.

The Oil concept is a “precursor to the concepts and innovations that will be available in future Citroën electric models”

Intended to shake up family mobility in the same way that the Ami has overhauled personal urban mobility, it’s not a preview of a forthcoming new model but instead a “precursor to the concepts and innovations that will be available in future Citroën electric models”.

Described as a multi-activity family vehicle, the Oli is essentially an electric SUV with a pickup bed inside the boot. It uses 100% recycled materials, including for the bonnet, roof and rear pickup bed panels. These are made from recycled corrugated cardboard formed into a honeycomb sandwich structure between fibreglass reinforcing panels, and coated in polyurethane resin and covered in a protective layer. As a result, weight is reduced by 50% when compared to an equivalent steel roof construction but the panels are strong enough that an adult can stand on them, according to the brand. Meanwhile vehicle parts can be reused or recycled throughout ownership.

The windscreen is vertical, cutting glass usage while reducing weight and complexity, making it less expensive to produce or replace.

Wheels and tyres have also been rethought and the Oli uses a 20-inch wheel and tyre combination that marries up a new hybrid wheel prototype design with a new concept tyre from Goodyear, contributing to an overall vehicle weight reduction of 6kg.

The innovative use of new materials leads to a lower weight, cost and environmental footprint. The Oli weighs just 1,000kg and has an estimated price tag of €25,000 (some £22k).

The fully electric powertrain features a 40kWh battery and is capable of up to 248 miles. Citroën has also limited the top speed of the Oli to 68mph to maximise efficiency, while rapid charging capability ensures a charge from 20% to 80% takes just 23 minutes.

Vehicle-to-grid capability allows owners to potentially store and sell energy back to the grid, while vehicle-to-load capability provides a power socket output of 3.6kW that could theoretically provide power to a 3,000w electric device for around 12 hours. That’s part of a focus on lifestyle drivers that also includes roof rails and load bay storage compartments.

It’s also the first model to use the brand’s newly revealed logo.

The interior eschews a full dashboard with multiple screens and hidden computers and instead features a single symmetrical ‘beam’ running across the width of the console and with the steering column, a smartphone dock, and toggle switches for the air con in the centre, cutting parts usage. Infotainment and communication features along with in-vehicle audio are integrated into the car via the driver’s smartphone. The Bluetooth loudspeakers can even be removed when parked.

Vincent Cobée, Citroën CEO, said: “Citroën Oli exemplifies our mobility mission: responsible, straightforward and affordable for your daily life while still aspirational, desirable and enjoyable. It is our guiding light for the solution you’ll want to have as the only vehicle your family needs ten years from now.”