Despite growing adoption, many misconceptions about electric vehicles persist. Let us take stock of the real benefits and separate fact from fiction.

The real benefits

1. Unbeatable running costs

Driving electric costs 3 to 5 times less than a combustion vehicle. On average, 100 km electric costs about €2.50 in electricity (when charging at home), compared to €10 to €12 in petrol. For a motorist covering 15,000 km per year, the saving is €1,100 to €1,400 per year on fuel alone.

2. Minimal maintenance

A combustion engine has around 2,000 moving parts. An electric motor: fewer than 20. The result: no oil changes, no timing belt, no spark plugs, no air filter, no exhaust system, no clutch. Maintenance comes down to tyres, brake pads (which wear less thanks to regenerative braking), battery coolant and cabin filter. The annual saving is estimated at 30% to 50%.

3. Driving comfort

Absolute silence, no vibrations, instant torque available from start-up: electric driving is a genuine pleasure. The absence of a gearbox makes driving smoother and less tiring, especially in town. And regenerative braking enables "one-pedal" driving: you accelerate and decelerate using only the accelerator pedal.

4. A positive gesture for the environment

Over its entire life cycle (including manufacturing), an electric vehicle emits 2 to 3 times less CO2 than an equivalent combustion vehicle in France, where over 90% of electricity is decarbonised. And the more kilometres driven, the greater the environmental advantage.

Common misconceptions: fact vs fiction

❌ "There aren't enough charging points"

✅ False. France has over 130,000 public charging points in 2026, and this number doubles every 18 months. Motorways are equipped with fast chargers every 50 km. And above all, 80% of charging takes place at home or at work, while the vehicle is parked.

❌ "The battery only lasts 5 years"

✅ False. Modern lithium-ion batteries are designed to last between 300,000 and 500,000 km, i.e. 15 to 20 years for normal use. Most manufacturers guarantee their battery for 8 years or 160,000 km (legal minimum), some go up to 10 years or 250,000 km. Degradation is around 2% per year: after 10 years, a battery retains 80% of its initial capacity.

❌ "Electric cars are dangerous in a crash"

✅ False. Electric vehicles undergo the same Euro NCAP crash tests as combustion vehicles and achieve excellent results (5 stars for the majority). The batteries are protected in a reinforced casing under the floor. In the event of a fire (very rare, 60 times less frequent than for a combustion vehicle according to US statistics), the spread is slower.

❌ "The electricity grid won't cope"

✅ False. RTE, the French electricity grid operator, has confirmed that the grid can absorb 15 million electric vehicles by 2035 without difficulty, provided charging is prioritised at night (off-peak hours). Smart charging even makes it possible to optimise consumption and avoid peaks.

So, ready to take the plunge?

The electric vehicle is no longer a bet on the future: it is a mature, economical and pleasant everyday reality. Still hesitating? Come for a test drive at Autoluxary. Nothing beats the experience of electric driving.