From “electro-skeptics” to “electro-enthusiasts”, two studies provide an overview of the contrasting perceptions of motorists regarding the electric car, sales of which have come to a halt in 2024.
(illustration) (AFP / DENIS CHARLET)
The blockages persist. Despite the overall satisfaction of motorists having swapped the fuel pump for the cable,
the French are increasingly hesitant to switch to electric cars and remain skeptical of its possible advantages,
according to two surveys carried out by the Ifop and CSA institutes.
Nearly 22% of French people plan to buy an electric car in the coming years, compared to 33% in 2021,
according to an Ifop survey commissioned by Roole, an automobile club which notably offers insurance. Seventy percent consider, on the contrary, that it would be a bad decision. “We could say that the French are hesitant when faced with what they do not know, but rightly or wrongly, they think they have a fairly clear vision of the offer and the product,” underlines Jérôme Fourquet of Ifop to of the AFP.
Word of mouth still “very limited”
The opinions of the majority are, however, very different from those of users of electric cars, who generally praise their driving comfort and the savings in use and maintenance that they allow. But “word of mouth is still very limited,” notes Mr. Fourquet.
In fact, after three years of strong growth, sales of new electric cars experienced an initial slowdown in France in 2024. They represented 16.9% of registrations, largely exceeded by the explosion of hybrid models, which replace the 'essence. On the second-hand market, which represents three quarters of car purchases, electric cars still remain rare and expensive.
-The end of thermal engines seen as a tipping point in the electricity supply
The first obstacle to purchasing remains the high price of these vehicles compared to their thermal equivalents (for 47% of people who do not wish to buy electric), according to another survey published on January 15 by the CSA Institute for the Automotive Platform.
After further interviews with motorists, the institute determined five attitudes towards electric cars:
electro-skeptics (37%)
who show a certain distrust,
“electro-allergic”
(11%) who totally reject it,
electro-cautious (25%)
confident and rather in favor of gentle transport,
electro-enthusiasts
(16%) and 11% of people far from car-related issues, who consider themselves poorly informed.
“Everything argues for a certain wait-and-see attitude”, underlines Jérôme Fourquet. “The vast majority of the population is not convinced or considers that it is too expensive”, and others are waiting to see the electric offer evolve by 2035, the deadline for the sale of new thermal cars in Europe. “As it stands, the hybrid appears to be the most reassuring and credible answer,” underlines the CSA institute.
The Ifop survey was carried out online with 1,002 people in December 2024, while that of CSA surveyed 3,015 French people online at the start of the 2024 school year, both using the quota method.
