French people are turning their backs on electric cars for the wrong reasons

Electric car news

The electrification of the French vehicle fleet is underway, but the path to mass adoption remains fraught with pitfalls. A recent study conducted by DRIVECO and Toluna Harris Interactive reveals a contrasting landscape, where the enthusiasm of electric vehicle owners clashes with the persistent reluctance of a part of the population. Let’s dive into the details of this survey which highlights the challenges and opportunities of electric mobility in France.

The positive experience of electric drivers

The numbers speak for themselves: 90% of electric vehicle drivers declare themselves satisfied with their daily experience. Even more surprising, 48% of them are “completely satisfied”a level of enthusiasm rarely seen in the automotive sector.

This satisfaction translates into a stronger attachment to their vehicle. Compared to owners of thermal cars, electric drivers are:

• More attached to their vehicle (+11 points)
• More proud of their choice (+20 points)

Indeed, 72% of electric car owners claim a sense of pride, compared to only 52% for thermal vehicles. This phenomenon is partly explained by the advantageous cost of use of electric vehicles, with 85% of drivers satisfied with this aspectcompared to 72% for thermal vehicles.

Persistent obstacles to mass adoption

Despite this positive feedback, the adoption of electric vehicles in France remains hampered by several factors. The study highlights marked geographical and generational disparities:

• In rural areas, only 44% of respondents have a positive image of electric cars
• In the Paris metropolitan area, this figure rises to 63%.
• Among 18-24 year olds, 69% have a good image of electric vehicles
• Conversely, only 41% of those aged 65 and over share this favourable opinion.

The main obstacle remains the purchase price. For 56% of French peoplethis is the number one obstacle to purchasing an electric vehicle in the next 5 years. Battery life comes in second place among the concerns.

Levers to accelerate the transition

Faced with these obstacles, the study identifies several levers likely to encourage the switch to electric:

• A drop in the price of thermal vehicles would encourage 37% of drivers to take the plunge
• More substantial purchasing aid would convince 31% of respondents
• A reduction in recharge time would be decisive for 36% of French people

The issue of public charging is crucial. Although 82% of current users are satisfied with the terminals open to the publicdisparities persist. In large urban areas, 87% of electric vehicle drivers have a positive image of them, compared to 77% in rural areas.

Public terminals are considered easy to use (80%) and to locate (74%). A reassuring point: 85% of French people can charge their vehicle at homeincluding in apartments or in the Paris region (80%).

Distrust of political discourse

Another major lesson from this study is the distrust of the French towards public authorities on the issue of ecological transition in the automobile sector. 55% of respondents do not trust the government to act effectively to reduce the environmental impact of automobiles.

This distrust also translates into skepticism about the objectives set: 73% of French people think that the ban on sales of thermal cars planned for 2035 will be postponed. Curiously, this figure drops to 46% among electric vehicle drivers, suggesting a more optimistic view on their part.

Faced with this distrust of public authorities, the French seem to place their trust in private players, particularly car manufacturers. This trend could influence the communication and development strategies of the various players in the sector.

Towards a progressive democratization

Despite the obstacles, the trend is towards a gradual democratization of electric vehicles in France. The extremely positive feedback from current users suggests a snowball effect as prices fall and the charging infrastructure develops.

For Ion Leahu-Aluas, CEO of DRIVECO, the challenge is clear: “Our mission is to participate in the democratization of electric mobility and to remove the barriers to adoption. Our role is to provide the best charging experience and the best network of terminals and to work with the entire ecosystem to raise awareness of the existing obstacles in order to remove them.”

Jean-Daniel Levy, Managing Director of Harris Interactive, highlights the challenges to be met: “The conditions for its success still come up against major obstacles today: on a personal and daily level, agreeing to change one’s habits; on an environmental level, being more convinced by the electric vehicle; on an economic level, being supported at a time when – for almost one in two French people – this type of vehicle seems out of reach, even just from the point of view of the purchase cost”.

The road to 100% electric mobility in France is still long, but the signs are encouraging. As technologies advance, infrastructure develops and prices fall, we are likely to see an acceleration in the adoption of electric vehicles in the years to come. The key to success will lie in the ability of public and private stakeholders to respond to the concerns of the French and to offer solutions adapted to all driver profiles.

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