Step 1: Which electric car is right for you?
Hybrid vehicles
Hybrid vehicles are the closest thing to combustion-powered models you're probably familiar with.
They use both a gasoline engine and an electric motor to help offset fuel costs by improving fuel economy. Because hybrid cars use gasoline as their main energy source, all you have to do is fill up your tank as you normally would and drive off. The best-known hybrids are the Toyota Prius and Hyundai Ioniq, but the list of gasoline-electric models is growing. Even the latest Mercedes-Benz GLS uses hybrid technology.
Plug-in hybrid vehicles
Plug-in hybrids go further than conventional hybrids. With their larger battery, plug-in hybrid technology enables a car to be powered solely by electricity over short distances. Once the battery is exhausted, the vehicle reverts to an ordinary hybrid. It is then powered by fuel, which recharges its batteries using kinetic energy or by using the gasoline engine as a generator. However, you can also recharge the battery by plugging the car into any compatible charging station. Depending on your driving needs, you can use electricity to get around town. And, use the petrol engine only when you're making long journeys.
100% electric vehicles (EVs)
Electric cars like the Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Kona EV, KIA Niro EV and Tesla Model 3 run on, you guessed it, electricity. This segment has come a long, long way over the past decade. In the past, battery-powered models were confined to city cars due to their limited range. Today, there are several options on the market that can travel over 500 km on a single charge. Charging times have also become shorter, allowing you to drive with fewer constraints.
To go further: Electric or hybrid car? The best choice.
Key facts about electric cars
First and foremost, the difference between the electric vehicle market and the combustion vehicle market is diminishing.
The further we move towards this new technology, the narrower the price gap between internal combustion and electric vehicles.
Over the last ten years, the cost of batteries for electric vehicles has fallen considerably. Some electric vehicles can now be considered more economical than their internal combustion counterparts, and will be even more so in the years to come, until their prices cross.
Estimating an electric car beyond the purchase price
In 2024, it's important not to stop at the initial price of the vehicle, as this will by no means determine its total cost. Electric vehicles are generally more expensive to buy.
To estimate the purchase price of your future electric car, here are the different criteria to consider:
- Initial purchase cost
- Maintenance
- Fuel
- Price per km
- Insurance
- Interests
On top of that, we'll be making sure we take into account government subsidies for electric vehicles, and theever-increasing fuel tax.
Read also: the profitability of an electric car.
Our selection: Which electric car is right for you?
Discover our Top 3 electric cars of 2024!
Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 is available from €53,490 in the Grand Autonomy trim level, and also comes in two other trim levels: Performance and Propulsion.
The Tesla Model 3 in this High Autonomy trim achieves a WLTP range of up to 629 km and a top speed of 201 km/h.
- Range: 629 km (WLTP)
- Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h: 4.4 s
- Fast recharge (10 to 80%): 30 min.
- Price: €50,990 (excluding environmental bonus)
Kia Niro EV
Starting at €44,490 (Motion trim) with its 64.8 kWh engine, the Kia Niro EV (formerly known as the Kia e-Niro) is one of the most affordable SUVs on the automotive market.
The Kia Niro EV can achieve a WLTP range of up to 460 km with this powertrain, with 150 kW and 204 hp.
The Kia Niro EV is also available in 2 other trim levels, with the same powertrain:
- Active: from €46,490
- Premium: from €48,090
Renault Zoé
Crowned best city car, the Renault Zoe e-Tech has sold more than 46,000 units and established itself as the essential urban vehicle.
Available from €35,100 for the Balanced trim level, the Renault Zoé e-Tech is equipped with an 80 kW battery providing up to 390 km of WLTP range and 110 hp.
- Range: 390 km (WLTP)
- Price: €35,100 (excluding environmental bonus)
- Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h: 11.4 s
- Slow charge (0 to 100%): 3h min.
- Fast recharge (10 to 80%): 56 min.
Step 2: How much will my electric car cost?
Now that you know what types of clean cars are available, you can start deciding which one is right for you. But before you do that, it may be useful to know how much these vehicles cost. Bear in mind that the price of an electric car may be higher - it's usually more expensive than a comparable petrol or diesel model. But in return, you'll save a lot of money on fuel and maintenance. Over time, it will be equivalent.
For example, Hyundai offers the Kona petrol model at €20,000. The electric equivalent costs €41,700 in the Intuitive trim (including €4,000 environmental bonus).
That's a big difference. But if an entry-level price can scare off some consumers, the government helps to make up the difference by offering financial aid.
Ecological bonus
The ecological bonus and ecological malus are fiscal methods used to combat greenhouse gas emissions. They help to steer consumers towards less-polluting vehicles. Vehicles with CO2 emissions of 20 g/km, i.e. electric vehicles, are eligible.
Assistance is capped at €4,000 for electric vehicles costing less than €47,000, or €7,000 for the most modest households (taxable income not exceeding €15,400).
Find out more in this article: Ecological bonus 2024: everything you need to know
Conversion bonus
In exchange for scrapping an old vehicle, you can benefit from a "conversion premium". This can be a diesel or gasoline vehicle. The amount depends on your tax situation: tax-free or taxable, up to €6,000. To find out the exact amount, you can run a conversion bonus simulation.
To find out more about the ecological bonus and the conversion premium, please consult our file on financial aid.
Read also: Everything you need to know about the conversion bonus in 2023
Regional aid
Depending on your profile, your region can help you save on the purchase of an electric car. Amounts vary from region to region. For professionals, they can be as much as €6,000 for the purchase of a new electric vehicle in the Île-de-France region. See our article on regional grants for full details.
Good to know: these aids can be combined, but are often limited to a single purchase per household. It's a good idea to find out more about each type of assistance before taking the plunge. They often apply only to 100% electric vehicles.
Cross-pricing between electric and combustion engines
For those accustomed to the comfort of a combustion-powered vehicle, buying an electric vehicle of the same model is sometimes a source of concern. In truth, this reaction is legitimate, since for some, it's the start of an adventure in totally unknown territory. Especially when you consider the financial implications.
However, we can confirm today that many people who have tried the electric car have expressed great satisfaction with the change. They agree that they feel more eco-responsible and have even saved money in the long term.
Here, for example, are the changes that switching to an electric car has brought to a new Nissan Leaf buyer.
Beyond these factors, the only resistance to the purchase of an electric vehicle is the considerable cost it may have represented in the early days. But those days are over.
Today, there is a compromise between their prices.
What you need to consider
Above all, the initial price of a vehicle predestines our choice towards the most suitable electric models, whether electric or combustion-powered.
It's after this stage that the two mark their differences.
The expenses involved in buying a vehicle are as follows:
For an electric vehicle
- Battery replacement
- Insurance
- Vehicle maintenance - condition
- Energy requirements
- State aid
For an internal combustion vehicle
- Replacement of mechanical parts
- Insuring the vehicle
- Technical inspection
- Financial benefits
- Fuel requirements
Below, we've compared the prices of the 5 French people's favorites between the internal combustion vehicle and its electric equivalent, based on their cost of ownership. Clearly, the cost of ownership includes the purchase price of the vehicle, then its maintenance over a 5-year useful life.
Peugeot : Switching from a 208 to an e-208
If we now deduct the subsidies for the purchase of an electric vehicle from the total:
- Ecological bonus
- 4 000 €
- Final price of the Peugeot e-208: €34,800 - €4,000 = €30,800
- Conversion bonus
- Depends on your tax situation
- Depends on your tax situation
(See above for aid amounts)
More than €3,300 in savings over 5 years.
Renault : Switching from a Clio to a Zoe
If we now deduct the subsidies for the purchase of an electric vehicle from the total:
- Ecological bonus
- 4 000 €
- Final price of the Renault Zoe e-Tech electric car: €35,100 - €4,000 = €31,100
- Conversion bonus
- Depends on your tax situation
(See above for aid amounts)
More than €3,300 in savings over 5 years.
Peugeot : Upgrade from a 2008 to an e-2008
If we now deduct the subsidies for the purchase of an electric vehicle from the total:
- Ecological bonus
- 4 000 €
- Final price of the Peugeot e-2008 electric car: €39,440 - €4,000 = €35,440
- Conversion bonus
- Depends on your tax situation
(See above for aid amounts)
More than €4,300 in savings over 5 years.
Citroën : Switching from a combustion to an electric Citroën C4
If we now deduct from the total the subsidies for the purchase of an electric vehicle :
- Ecological bonus
- 4000 €
- Final price of the Citroën ë-C4 X electric car: €41,900 - €4,000 = €37,900
- Conversion bonus
- Depends on your tax situation
(See above for aid amounts)
More than €3,300 in savings over 5 years.
Dacia: Upgrading from a Sandero to a Spring
If we now deduct the subsidies for the purchase of an electric vehicle from the total:
- Ecological bonus
- 4 000 €
- Conversion bonus
- Depends on your tax situation
(See above for aid amounts)
More than €4,300 in savings over 5 years.
Get a quote Beev offers you charging stations at the best price! Select a charging point
Step 3: How do I choose the type of refill?
Now that you've chosen your car, you'll need to think about how to recharge it. There are three main types of recharging offered by mainstream electric car manufacturers.
Household socket
You can charge using any standard household socket. This could be the same socket you use to charge your cell phone. Almost all electric vehicles on the market are suitable for this type of charging, which is very practical, as in theory you won't need any additional installation. The problem is that charging takes longer. For example, to charge a Nissan Leaf with a standard charger, allow around ten hours.
Charging stations
This is a much faster type of recharging. It often requires installation in your home or workplace. To take the example of the Leaf, a full charge using a charging station takes between 4h and 8h, depending on the power of your station. Single-phase charging stations can deliver between 3.7 kW and 7.4 kW. Three-phase charging stations deliver between 11 kW and 22 kW. You can get home from work at 7pm and leave the next day at 7am with a full charge. All you need to do is recharge a few times a week, depending on your driving profile.
Fast charging stations
Fast-charging stations are more or less the same as conventional charging stations. On average, a fast-charging station delivers 43 kW. Some fast-charging stations can deliver up to 150 kW.
These are industrial chargers capable of recharging your car in a flash. You can recharge your vehicle by 80% in just 20 minutes. These charging stations are becoming increasingly popular in France.
Good to know: not all electric cars support this type of charging. And using it too often can damage the battery.
Recharging times are holding back many French people from switching to electric cars. But the figures keep improving. For example, Porsche is working on a technology that can recharge your battery in 4 minutes for around 100 kilometers. The Porsche Taycan will be equipped with this technology.
Recharging time also varies according to the condition of your battery, its age and mileage. Lithium-ion batteries will power the vast majority of electric cars on the market in 2019. These batteries lose autonomy over time. Over a 10-year period, the gradual loss could be as much as 30%. But don't panic: in most cases, electric cars are covered by a manufacturer's warranty (around 8 years or 200,000 km).
Step 4: Where to charge?
We have to be quite clear about the number of self-service charging stations in France. We need more. Numerous solutions will make this problem disappear; for example, Google Maps will map all charging stations. The application will show EV owners the nearest charging station.
If you're ready to buy an electric vehicle, we strongly advise you to install a charging system at home. There are several types of assistance available to help reduce the cost.
You have a parking space
The 30% tax credit
The 30% tax credit
As the name suggests, this tax credit allows you to reduce your income tax. You can be reimbursed for 30% of the cost of installing a charging station at your home.
Help from Paris City Hall
Paris City Hall can finance the installation of a personal terminal in an apartment or principal residence. This assistance amounts to 50% (maximum: €500) of the cost of the work. This considerably reduces the cost.
To find out more about how to install electrical bollards, consult our guide.
You don't have a parking space
In this case, you'll need to make sure you can charge at your workplace or at public charging points. Several cities have set up parking spaces with charging points for electric vehicles. You have to pay an annual subscription - generally inexpensive - which allows you to recharge anywhere in the city.
Step 5: Know the limits of your electric car
Many motorists cite the lack of range as a barrier to switching to an electric car. But most motorists don't use their cars all the time. Switching to an electric car is very advantageous for most motorists.
Beyond that, many electric cars today offer ranges of 500 km. Tesla's Model S, for example, has a range of 500 km. And the Kia e-Niro can cover up to 550 km in the city. This is more than enough range for the distances covered. However, you need to be careful how you use your electric vehicle: range is reduced on freeways.
The weather also influences autonomy, as the battery is less able to withstand low temperatures.
Finally, even though many people praise the cleanliness of electric vehicles, the issue of batteries needs to be raised. Batteries have to be produced somewhere, and their production is polluting, but the figures are encouraging. On the one hand, a lot of research and development work is being done to reduce thecarbon footprint. Secondly, once the vehicle has been used up, the batteries are recycled in other industrial cycles to maximize their lifespan.
If we have to summarize the various stages in a few lines, we need to :
- Identify your needs and choose the right model: 100% electric, hybrid or plug-in hybrid
- Find out about available grants to help you pay less for your future vehicle
- Know your options for worry-free charging
- Possibly equip yourself with a personal recharging station
Now that you have all the necessary information in your head, take the time to make a well-considered decision.
