In France, recharging the battery of your electric car now costs more since February 1 with the increase in the cost of energy, by 9% on average. But that does not prevent this type of vehicle from maintaining its advantage over the thermal engine, explains a study by terminal installer Qovoltis. A central argument for the development of the electric car, whose purchase price is higher.
In detail, the Qovoltis survey indicates that the most economical electric charging is done at home by “ smart charging », or by taking advantage of night rates. It is a little more expensive in co-ownership, and reaches 5.3 euros on average during peak hours.
The most expensive charging is done at ultra-fast terminals alongside motorways, from operators such as TotalEnergies or Ionity. Furthermore, the differences in the price of a recharge vary from simple to quadruple depending on where you charge, i.e. from 2.5 to 10.6 euros (for a charge equivalent to 100 kilometers of driving in an electric car , with average consumption).
In comparison, with a thermal vehicle, driving 100 kilometers costs 13.8 euros (based on an average consumption of 7.5 liters/100 km and fuel at 1.85 euros per liter).
TotalEnergies terminal prices have not increased
On public roads, TotalEnergies indicated Thursday that the prices of its terminals had not increased with the cost of electricity. These operators are in fact not subject to the same electricity prices, nor to the tariff shield. If electricity prices remain high, however, they could decide to pass on these increases later. A future charging tax, which would compensate for the reduction in fuel tax, could also ultimately weigh on prices.
An essential cost advantage
This cost advantage of electric vehicles is supposed to help convince potential buyers, who must pay more money to make the purchase. However, if owners of electric vehicles recharge mainly from a socket or terminal at home, therefore slowly and at low cost, only 26% of users say they manage their charging, in particular to take advantage of off-peak hours, according to a BVA survey for Enenis published in September 2023.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) therefore alerted in December 2023 on “ the consequences of too low a level of management of home charging for millions of electric vehicles expected in the coming years “. The CRE recommends connecting chargers to smart meters (Linky).
Price and autonomy remain obstacles to sales development
This cost advantage is all the more crucial as electric cars seem to interest potential buyers less this year than in 2023. According to a Deloitte study published Monday, only 9% of French people surveyed would, in fact, choose an electric car as their next vehicle. , compared to 7% in 2022. 41% would like a gasoline or diesel car, and 19% a hybrid.
The price of 100% electric models remains a major obstacle: a growing proportion of French people surveyed are not ready to invest more than 30,000 euros in their new car (62% in 2023 compared to 56% in 2022). Around 90,000 people have already requested to benefit from an electric car at a reduced price as part of the “ social leasing “. In total, 25,000 vehicles will be available this year, but the government hopes to increase the pace
Autonomy and the time required to recharge the vehicle are two other handicaps. A large majority of car buyers would like to benefit from ranges greater than 400 kilometers, as much as with a thermal car, which involves large and expensive batteries. Enough to undermine the new offers of economical cars with small batteries.
(With AFP)