Contrary to what one might think, an electric vehicle does not cost more than a thermal vehicle. The UFC What To Choose states this after comparing the “total cost of ownership” of six types of engine: gasoline, diesel, LPG, hybrid, electric, gasoline hybrid and plug-in gasoline hybrid. Projecting to four years (average ownership period of a new vehicle) as well as 16 years (average lifespan of a vehicle), electric costs less than all other models.
Certainly, the electric vehicle often costs more to purchase than its thermal engine equivalent, but the manufacturers' marketing bludgeons us with the fact that electric recharging is significantly less expensive than filling up with gasoline, that there is has less maintenance and that electric therefore allows this initial investment to be quickly profitable.
But we know that there is often a gap between marketing discourse and reality. Also, UFC Que Choisir was interested in the overall cost of vehicles depending on their engine in order to determine which models are the least expensive to use. And the conclusion is surprising to say the least!
The organization bases itself on the total cost of ownership which includes all the charges borne by a motorist in France. Thus the difference between purchase price and resale price taking into account bonuses and penalties, energy consumed, insurance costs, and maintenance operations, etc.
The study thus compared the profile of the “heavy rider”, who covers 20.000 kilometers per year for 4 years, to that of the “small rider”, who does not cover more than 10.000 km per year, during the same period. Conclusion without appeal of UFC Que Choisir : “The biggest drivers who charge at home have every interest in switching to an electric car », which will save him less than €1.275 each year, if we compare a petrol city car to an electric one (but only €725 for Diesel). The electric car would thus cost €5.550 per year for the heavy driver, compared to €4.650 for the small driver for four years.
The UFC What To Choose also believes that it is more interesting, economically speaking, to buy an electric vehicle in the countryside than in the city, because the distances traveled are greater and increase the fuel budget. But it is also in the countryside where the limited range of electric cars can pose a problem and where it is most difficult to find charging stations.
These data must nevertheless be qualified. If the State bonus linked to the purchase of electric vehicles were to fall, the electric vehicle would mechanically lose its advantage. It will only be in 2025 that electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles will be able to compete with thermal cars even without bonuses, thanks to lower production costs.
Source: UFC Que Choisir
