The electric car is a luxury that does not appeal to the French

Electric car news

The year 2024 marks a turning point in the French automobile industry, with a mixed perception of electric cars. Despite the efforts of manufacturers and government incentives, the French remain skeptical about the adoption of this technology. Let's dive into the details of this complex situation with the latest Opinionway survey for Aramis.

The car, a luxury for the French

The current economic context weighs heavily on the automobile choices of the French. 75% of them now consider the car a luxury. This perception is reinforced by budgetary constraints: on average, drivers estimate they can spend €360 per month on the purchase of a new vehicle. However, this average hides strong disparities:

• 27% of French people cannot spend more than €100 per month
• Low-income households increased their average budget from €262 to €292 (+11%)

Faced with these constraints, the French are adopting various strategies to preserve their purchasing power:

• 42% use their car less often
• 15% postpone non-urgent repairs
• 14% carry out repairs themselves
• 11% opt for a more economical model

Electricity struggles to convince

Despite the media hype and environmental objectives, according to the survey, only 10% of French people say they are ready to buy an electric vehicle. This figure is astonishing and all the more striking when compared to purchasing intentions for traditional engines:

This reluctance is explained by several factors according to the respondents :

• The high purchase price electric vehicles
• L’perceived autonomy as insufficient
• Lack of charging infrastructure
• The complexity of government aid

Social leasing: a half-hearted solution

The French government has tried to stimulate the adoption of electric cars with the €100 per month social leasing scheme. However, its impact remains limited:

• 67% of French people say that this offer is not enough to convince them
• 75% think they cannot benefit from it
• 71% consider the amount of aid insufficient

Administrative complexity also plays a dissuasive role: 69% feel lost in the multiplicity of aid offered, and 67% find the procedures too complex.

The reconditioned second-hand: an attractive alternative

Faced with the challenges posed by electric vehicles, reconditioned used vehicles are gaining popularity. They are perceived as:

• More reliable than classic second-hand goods (63%)
• More environmentally friendly (70%)
• Cheaper than new vehicles (84%)

This trend is particularly marked among low-income households, with a significant increase in these perceptions in 2024.

The Chinese car dilemma

The massive arrival of Chinese manufacturers on the European market provokes contrasting reactions:

• 81% of French people believe that these cars should be better regulated by the EU
• 79% consider them a threat to French manufacturers
• 68% think they do not sufficiently respect the environment

Paradoxically, 73% recognize their economic competitiveness, and 54% see it as a solution to access electricity at lower cost.

Towards a gradual transition

The transition to electric in France promises to be long and complex. Financial obstacles remain preponderant, and consumers are looking for intermediate solutions. Refurbished second-hand vehicles could play a key role in this transition, offering a compromise between cost, reliability and environmental impact.

To accelerate the adoption of electric cars, it will undoubtedly be necessary to rethink government aid and simplify access to it. Better public information on the long-term advantages of electricity (reduced usage costs, positive environmental impact) could also help to remove reluctance.

The French automobile industry finds itself at a crossroads. Between environmental objectives, consumers' economic constraints and international competition, it will have to demonstrate innovation and adaptation to remain competitive while meeting the expectations of the French in terms of sustainable and affordable mobility.

Source: Opinionway survey for Aramisauto

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