Understanding your real needs
How muchautonomy do I need?
To choose the ideal electric car, it's essential to accurately assess the range required. This step allows you to choose a vehicle that not only suits your lifestylebut also but also to your specific mobility needs. Here's our advice:
- Determine your daily commute: calculate the total distance you usually travel in a day. Don't forget to include commuting, shopping and extra-curricular activities if you have children.
- Consider occasional trips: think about your autonomy needs for longer trips you might undertake, such as vacations or family visits.
- Anticipate unforeseen events: add a safety margin to your range calculation to cover unforeseen events, such as detours or adverse weather conditions, which can increase energy consumption.
- Consider available recharging options: your ability to easily recharge your vehicle at home, at work, or on the road will influence the level of range you need.
Also read → Electric car battery autonomy: where are we?
Urban drivers, for example, are often happy with electric cars such as the Renault Zoë e-Tech or the Peugeot e-208offering a range range of 200 to 300 kmideal for city driving without the need for daily recharging. Those who regularly make long journeys to work can take advantage of the Tesla Model 3 or Hyundai Kona Electricwhich, with a range range of 300 to 400 kmeliminate the stress of recharging over intermediate distances.
As for adventure and long-distance travel enthusiasts, the Tesla Model S or the Ford Mustang Mach-Ecapable of exceeding 400 km on a single chargewill give them greater freedom of movement and peace of mind on journeys away from home.
Choosing the right range is therefore an initiative that has to come from you and match your travel habits.
What are the criteria for choosing an electric car?
There are several essential criteria to guide your choice towards the ideal electric car that matches your expectations and lifestyle. The decision-making process hinges on several major factors that directly influence your user experience and the vehicle's suitability for your daily needs.
Autonomy and recharging capacity
The range of an electric car remains the most important criterion, determining the maximum distance that can be covered without the need for recharging. This is a crucial aspect for regular drivers, especially those who undertake long journeys. At the same time, recharging options and speed are equally important. The availability of fast-charging stations close to home or work, and the vehicle's ability to withstand rapid recharging, are determining factors.
Also read → Top 10 long-range electric cars
Total cost of ownership
Beyond the purchase price, the total cost of ownership of an electric car includes electricity, maintenance, insurance, and possibly public recharging costs. Electric cars, renowned for their lower maintenance costs compared with combustion-powered vehicles, can offer substantial savings over the long term.
Here, for example, is the total cost of ownership for the Tesla Model 3 over a 5-year period:
| Cost | |
|---|---|
|
Purchase price (after subsidies) |
43 000 € |
|
Cost of recharging (over 5 years)
|
2 000 € |
|
Maintenance and repairs (over 5 years) |
1 200 € |
|
Insurance (over 5 years)
|
2 800 € |
|
Depreciation (over 5 years)
|
12 000 € |
Performance and technical data
The performance of an electric car, such as acceleration and top speed, as well as its technical features, such as trunk capacity or on-board technologies, play an important role in the choice of a model. Electric driving often offers a responsive and dynamic experience, but each model has its own specific features that may appeal to different driver profiles.
Also read → Top 10 most powerful electric cars
Comfort and interior space
Driving comfort and interior space are essential, especially for families or those who spend a lot of time on the road. The ergonomics of the seats, the quality of the materials, the soundproofing, and the space available for passengers and luggage are criteria not to be overlooked.
Environmental impact and sustainability
Finally, the environmental impact of an electric car is an increasingly important criterion. Consumers aware of their ecological footprint are seeking to understand the origin of the electricity used for recharging, as well as manufacturers' sustainable battery production and recycling practices.
What are the different profiles of electric car drivers?
The city dweller
The profile of the city dweller is characterized by the use of his or her electric car, adapted to the life and geographical constraints of big cities. This type of user favors electric mobility for daily commuting, while at the same time respecting the environment.
Why are electric vehicles particularly attractive to city dwellers?
- ease of driving and comfort in urban environments: ideal for city traffic and frequent stops (traffic jams, traffic lights),
- Quiet operation: helps reduce noise pollution,
- savings on fuel and maintenance costs.
Cities also offer an increasingly developed recharging infrastructure, with charging points accessible in public parking lots, shopping malls and even near offices. This accessibility to a variety of recharging options perfectly meets the needs of city dwellers, who can recharge their vehicles while working, shopping or enjoying urban leisure activities.
Finally, the ecological aspect cannot be ignored. Aware of their environmental impact, city dwellers are often looking for sustainable solutions to reduce their carbon footprint. Adopting an electric car is part of this eco-responsible approach, supported by city policies to promote clean mobility. Models such as the Fiat 500ᵉ or the the Opel Corsa-e are the perfect answer to the needs of the city driver.
Also read → How to recharge your electric car at a public charging station?
The worker
In 2024, the profile of the worker is becoming increasingly important in the segment of electric car users. People who commute to and from work on a daily basis have special needs when it comes to choosing an electric vehicle.
The electric vehicle's range is of paramount importance to them. This type of driver is looking for models capable of covering their round trip without the need for intermediate recharging, even taking into account the weather, which can affect battery performance. The aim is to avoid range anxiety, so they can concentrate fully on their working day.
The ability to recharge the vehicle easily, whether at home, at the office, or at fast charging points along the way, is also a decisive criterion. Workers therefore prefer electric vehicles compatible with a wide range of recharging solutions, offering them flexibility and peace of mind.
Spending many hours in their vehicles, workers attach great importance to comfort and on-board technology. They look for models with spacious interiors, intuitive navigation systems and advanced driving aids to make their journeys as pleasant and safe as possible.
Also read → Electric cars: the smart choice for combining telecommuting and business travel?
The traveling family
The traveling family represents an important segment for the electric car market. These modern adventurers are looking for vehicles capable of accompanying them on their family getaways with comfort, autonomy and respect for the environment. For these families, the choice of an electric car is guided by very specific criteria, reflecting their unique mobility needs.
Why is autonomy their number one criterion?
For the traveling family, range is the number one criterion. The long distances covered on vacations and weekends demand a vehicle capable of covering several hundred kilometers without intermediate recharging. Recent models such as the Kia EV6 or the Volkswagen ID.4with a range of over 400 km on a single charge are ideal for this type of driver.
Interior space is also a determining factor. A spacious cabin, capable of comfortably accommodating the whole family and their luggage, is essential. Ergonomic seating, efficient air conditioning and careful soundproofing all contribute to making long journeys more enjoyable for young and old alike.
Also read → Which electric cars will offer the biggest boot in 2024?
Families also attach importance to safety features such as automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection and driving aids. Visit
Entertainment equipment, such as connected multimedia systems and passenger screens, is also an important factor in keeping children occupied during journeys.
Access to fast, efficient charging stations along freeways and in more remote locations is another essential criterion. Traveling families are looking for electric vehicles that are compatible with a wide network of charging stations(Ionity, Fastned, Tesla Supercharger), enabling them to reduce downtime and plan their itineraries more easily.
Also read → The best charging station networks in France
The versatile driver
As its name suggests, the all-round driver is someone looking for an electric vehicle capable of adapting to a wide range of needs (urban travel, long journeys and occasional trips) while offering performance, comfort and durability.
What does a versatile driver look like?
Versatile drivers prefer electric vehicles that can handle both daily commutes and weekend trips without the stress of recharging. Models like the Škoda Enyaq iV or the Toyota bZ4Xwith their long range and fast recharging capability, are the perfect answer to these requirements, offering the flexibility needed to adapt to any situation.
Space and comfort are essential to meet the varied needs of the versatile driver, whether transporting leisure equipment or comfortably accommodating family and friends. The Tesla Model Ywith its spacious interior and flexible seating configurations, is an excellent example of an electric car that meets these criteria, combining functionality with style.
Just as for traveling families, on-board technology plays an important role in both safety and entertainment. Advanced driver assistance systems and intuitive multimedia interfaces are a must. The Ford Mustang Mach-Ewith its large central screen and numerous driving aids, represents an attractive option for those who place technology at the heart of their driving experience.
Versatile drivers are also aware of the environmental impact of their mobility choices. Opt for electric vehicles designed with sustainable materials and offering high energy efficiency, such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5allows you to reconcile ecological responsibility with driving pleasure.
Good to know
Are high-end electric cars really worth their price tag for everyday use?
It all depends on your priorities. If advanced technology, comfort and greater autonomy are paramount to you, a top-of-the-range electric vehicle is a good investment. For more basic needs, many affordable models offer a satisfying experience.
How does the cost of recharging influence the choice of an electric vehicle?
The cost of recharging varies according to your electricity supplier and the recharging location (home or public stations). Calculate the estimated cost of recharging based on your expected consumption to choose a model that remains the most economical for you.
Can we rely on electric cars for journeys in rural areas or areas with few charging stations?
Choose a model with a long range and search for available charging stations on your route. Mobile applications(Chargemap, A Better Routeplanner, PlugShare) will help you locate charging stations and plan your trips.
