Which electric car to choose?

Based on this observation, we can therefore ask ourselves concretely what model of electric cars Choose. Indeed, between new brands (like Tesla) and more traditional ones, as well as the different criteria of a thermal car, it can be difficult to navigate. Finally, the good news is that the second-hand market is starting to emerge. In fact, there is a large choice of electric cars on autosphere.fr, and it’s not about to stop!

Aid to buy an electric car

The ecological bonus

As we told you above, the State greatly helps with the investment of an electric car. To benefit from it, it’s quite simple: the ecological bonus is made directly during your purchase. However, this bonus for an electric car will not be the same for all cars. Until June 30, 2022, the aid is as follows:

• €6,000 for a vehicle under €45,000;
• €2,000 for a vehicle between €45,000 and €60,000;
• €0 for a vehicle above €60,000 (the aid is reserved for hydrogen cars).

Seeing the criteria for awarding this aid, it is easy to understand that it is better to invest in a car for less than €45,000. Moreover, manufacturers have understood this, there are more and more models under this price, even at Tesla.

The conversion bonus

If you already own a thermal vehicle, you may well be eligible for another aid: the conversion bonus. Unlike the ecological bonus, it is a little more complex to know the precise amount of aid. Thus, there is a new scale since January 2022 (which will evolve regularly) and subject to several conditions. The first of these is to scrap a diesel vehicle registered before 1^er January 2011 or a petrol before 1^er January 2006.

However, that’s not all, a condition linked to tax income is also applied: the RFR (reference tax income) must be less than or equal to €13,489 per unit. If you meet these two conditions, you will receive additional aid of €1,500. Finally, there is one last condition that can allow you to double this premium: have an RFR/part less than or equal to €6,300, a home-work journey greater than 30 km or an annual mileage greater than 12,000 km. If you meet one of these conditions, you will receive a conversion bonus of €3,000.

As you will have understood, depending on your situation, you could receive €9,000 in aid to buy your new electric car! This could greatly motivate you to take the plunge.

The criteria for your future electric car

One of the most important criteria for the purchase of an electric car is necessarily the price. Indeed, this kind of car costs more than a thermal car, and this is something to consider. However, as we have just seen, there is no shortage of help, and buying an electric car is often cheaper than you think.

Thus, the first (true) criterion, and the most important, is that of autonomy. This is a question that we do not ask ourselves when buying a standard car: it is possible to easily cover 500 km per tank (or more) and the passage to the service station only lasts a few minutes. With an electric car, it’s different. We can, of course, count on a range of 400 or 500 km in real conditions, but this only concerns rare models, we generally turn around 300 km. For example, the Dacia Spring only has 230 km in the combined cycle (305 in town) of autonomy: it will thus be necessary to prepare its journey well to go on vacation!

In second place therefore, the price of the vehicle. It is up to you to see which range you want to turn to, however it is good to know that, from now on, we find all the prices for the electric car: it is no longer reserved for those who can invest several dozen thousands of euros in a vehicle.

We can then add the third criterion to our list: the type of recharge. Indeed, if your car has to take several hours to recharge, it will not be the most practical on a daily basis. More and more manufacturers are turning to ultra-fast refills: absolutely remember to check this when making your purchase, even if it means installing a wall box at your house. Finally, and this will be our last criterion, you will have to think about the use of your vehicle: if you do a lot of driving in town, the model to choose will be different from a road car. In short, it’s up to you to take stock and set up these criteria before you start.

What electric car for a city car?

The city is certainly the ideal playground for an electric car: with a lively and responsive engine, it is easy to weave through city traffic. Sector long dominated by the Renault Zoé, a competitor at a very aggressive price turns everything upside down: the Dacia Spring. The latter can boast of being the cheapest electric car on the market: available from €12,695, it is accessible to the general public. The Spring looks a lot like the Sandero, the model that made Dacia successful, which probably explains the success that this electric car has had and will continue to have.

With the Dacia Spring, you can cover 230 km in the city in ideal conditions. If you want to go on vacation, it is advisable to invest in a special charger called Combo DC 30 kW (which can charge 80% of the car in less than an hour). Nevertheless, this car is not designed for the road. If you are looking for a city car, it is clearly the most profitable model of the moment, especially with its more than interesting equipment for the price.

Other models could also be selected such as the Renault Zoé, the Fiat 500 or even the new Renault E-Tech. However, we are far from the good deal that is the Spring: the prices are rather a little below 20,000 €, with autonomy exceeding 300 km. However, do you really need such autonomy for a city car?

Which electric car for a multi-purpose?

If we talk about a multi-purpose vehicle, it should rather be imagined as a Clio-style car: a little larger than a (real) city car and smaller than a station wagon. Our choice is the Peugeot e-208 with its WLTP autonomy announced at 362 km and with a power of up to 136 hp (depending on the mode selected, count 109 hp in normal mode), it is a complete car for those and those who combine city and road on a daily basis. If you have to go on vacation, no fear, it is possible to recharge 80% of the battery in just 30 minutes! Enough to take the traditional 2-hour break by letting the car recharge.

In short, this model is very close to the thermal 208 (except for autonomy of course): it even has the luxury of having the same trunk volume! Therefore, whether in terms of performance, comfort or even price, the Peugeot e-208 is certainly the best general-purpose car of the moment. We could have added cars like the slightly cheaper Corsa-e or the DS3 Crossback E-Tense which offers superior comfort. However, the e-208 offers the best value for money at the moment.

An electric family car is now possible

Finally, the last type of flagship car of the moment: the family. We won’t talk about Tesla, it’s the ultimate electric car. However, its prices are a little too high for the majority of buyers. If you have the means, investing in the Tesla Model Y (or X) is certainly a good idea: it is the best existing electric SUV.

For this category of car, our choice will be on a model that few still know: the Aiways U5. If this brand is unknown to you, it is normal, it is gradually arriving in France with only electric cars. In short, the Chinese manufacturer offers this model from 33,300 €, ecological bonus deducted.

A true family SUV, the U5 offers a good level of finish (adaptive cruise control, hands-free key, 360° camera), all with a 5-year or 150,000 km warranty. This shows how certain the manufacturer is of the reliability of its model. On the autonomy side, we are around the 400 km announced. Nevertheless, the only downside that we could regret is the absence of concessions: for the maintenance of the cars, it will be necessary to go through Feu Vert, the manufacturer’s partner.

Anyway, buying an electric car these days is much easier than in the past. With a great diversity of models as well as prices that are now increasingly accessible, the choice to turn to an electric model quickly arises when buying a new car. The only real concern these days is perhaps still autonomy. However, the latter does more and more progress, and the charging stations multiply in France and in the world. With the aid, now is probably the best time to invest in an electric car.

Article produced in partnership with the autosphere.fr teams