a CSA survey reflects the big work that remains to be done to convince

The CSA institute has published its latest survey relating to the beliefs held by our fellow citizens regarding a transition from thermal to electric. And it’s not won…

According to a major survey carried out by the CSA on behalf of the Automobile Platform (PFA) among our fellow citizens, 91% of whom own at least one vehicle, 22% of the French population will not make the switch to electric, 16% are leaving and 62% remain to be convinced ! French people, on the other hand, are well aware (79%) of the EU’s decision to stop the sale of new thermal models in 2035, a desire poorly received since 73% of French people believe that this decision is not realistic.

A complex and unclear aid mechanism

As for electric vehicles, 60% think that it is a good solution against climate change, a figure which even rises to 80% among electric owners). When it comes to the cost of using an electric car, opinions differ very clearly: 38% of the population considers that it is lower than that of a gasoline or dieselcompared to 57% among young people and 84% of electric owners. In addition, the complexity of the aid mechanisms for the purchase of new electric cars and its lack of clarity means that only 27% of French people know if they are eligible. They are 40% among hybrid owners and 58% among electric owners (the remaining 42% had to buy it used…). On the other hand, 28% of French people say that this aid would “certainly not” encourage them to buy a new electric car and 33% “probably not”, or 61% of the population. Note, however, that 77% of respondents would give up without the aid, particularly young people (88%) and low-income households (89%).

As for the “skeptics”, Julie Gaillot, in charge of the study at CSA, indicates that they will be harder to convince. “Middle class, aged over 50 and rural, they are very attached to their car and know little about electric cars. They see ZFEs as an attack on their individual freedom and consider that their car pollutes little. They are not convinced by the ecological superiority of the electric car and only see the negative aspects.. On the other hand, they are open to hybridization which imposes no constraints on them.she describes. Finally, invited to comment on these results, Gille le Borgne, advisor to the president of Renault and former technical director of the group, regretted that the French’s knowledge of the advantages of electric power was so low. “We are not good at communication. We must state it very loudly: the life cycle of an electric vehicle emits 3 times less CO2 than a thermal vehicle and even 4 times more in France with our carbon-free energy. And battery life poses no problem, this was measured on the 450,000 Zoé that were put on the road.”he emphasizes.