Faced with rising fuel prices, nearly 50% of French people are ready to switch to an electric vehicle

This switch to electric in the years to come could upset the automotive market in a very tangible way. Even today, the majority of French people own a petrol or diesel vehicle (85%, 53% petrol and 46% diesel). To imagine that 43% of them could consider going electric means that 37% of all French people could learn about electrics in the coming years.

The finding is more obvious in urban areas.

50% among the inhabitants of towns of 20 to 000 inhabitants and 100% of the inhabitants of towns of at least 000 inhabitants say they are ready to move on (versus 45% in rural areas); and even 100% of respondents residing in Ile-de-France.

The attraction for electric is important and wants to be imminent

More concretely, almost one in five owners of internal combustion vehicles declare that they aim to replace it by 2025 (18%). In detail, among those with a diesel or petrol vehicle, 5% would be ready to change by the end of the year, 8% within two years and 5% from 2025. A quarter of drivers thermal vehicles expresses the wish to do so but does not comment on the exact date of change of vehicle (25%).

Those under 50 are more inclined to switch to greener energies for their vehicle by 2025 (21% compared to 14% of those aged 50 and over). More specifically, nearly a quarter of those under 35 want to do so within three years (24%).

The well-to-do socio-professional categories, which certainly have greater purchasing power, are also more receptive to change (24% against 15% of working-class categories).

However, some brakes persist on more than half of the owners of gasoline or diesel vehicles

• The fears that may have been present when electric vehicles arrived on the market are no longer relevant. Only a minority discredits the lack of choice in the ranges for electric (9%) and fears that the batteries will catch fire (5%).
• Practical and economic reasons are the first obstacles mentioned. The cost of purchasing an electric vehicle can range from around €20 to €000. This cost still hinders a majority of respondents (90%). Households with low incomes (less than 000 euros per month) are more afraid to invest in electric cars (69% against 2000% of households with higher incomes).
• The battery is perceived as one of the main drawbacks of the electric car. Half of thermal vehicle owners who do not want to switch to electric question their lack of autonomy (51%).
• The lack of charging points is also a point of frustration for more than a third of respondents (40%) and even 46% of respondents living in the Paris area.
• Finally, the battery charging time also appears to be a barrier for a third of respondents as well. If the charging time is perceived as a difficulty by a third of the owners of diesel or petrol vehicles who do not wish to invest in electric, it nevertheless appears as a future lever to adhere to electric.

Residents of the Paris conurbation are also the most likely to be interested in accelerated charging time (50% point to the length of charging time compared to 33% of rural residents).

For Aurélien de Meaux, Founder of Electra: “The electric vehicle will find its place in French homes, certainly faster than expected. We are aware that to support this energy transition, it is essential to multiply charging points and especially fast and reliable charging points. This survey also confirms our desire to focus our development of fast charging stations in urban areas as a priority.”