The “fairy” electricity dissipates CO2 and polluting emissions, but also radically transforms your driving experience.
A review of the main things to consider, from charging devices to your electricity consumption, including insurance, when taking the plunge.
Try it out for the driving experience.
The 100% electrics respond well to acceleration.
The absence of gear change makes driving fluid.
Quiet operation and imperceptible vibrations characterize their style on the road.
"We're in a spaceship!"
enthuses Frédéric Lecroart, co-founder of Carventura, a platform specializing in the sale and purchase of used vehicles.
Electricity truly transforms the automobile into a technological product.
"
VIDEO. Tesla Model 3: we tested the cheapest of the range
Think about autonomy.
She has improved a lot.
In any case, this is what most manufacturers say, like the American Tesla.
Today, some cars claim 500 km of range, on a single charge.
On the French side, the Renault Zoé offers up to 300 km without worry.
Spring up to 225 km (295 km in town).
Expect a decrease in your fuel budget.
Installing a reinforced outlet or a charging station at home saves money.
In fact, "the price of diesel or gasoline is significantly higher than that of electricity," insists Tesla.
According to EDF, it is necessary to count "more than 10 euros for 100 km driven by thermal car, against approximately two euros of electricity for an equivalent electric model".
Driving electrically means reducing your fuel bill by three or four.
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Apply for a rebate for your insurance.
You can insure your Renault Zoe, your Peugeot e-208 or your Tesla Model 3 to a third party.
Be careful, however: repairs can be expensive on electrics, often recent.
Take a good look at the price of comprehensive insurance.
Especially since some insurers apply a rebate to electricity.
Reason?
Intended for shorter journeys, they are less affected by accidents.
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Don't worry about the maintenance.
The art of ... emptiness!
No oil, no gearbox.
The electrics shine through their mechanical simplicity.
As a result, maintenance is much simpler and some wearing parts, such as brakes for example, deteriorate less quickly.
Be careful, however, additional costs tend to appear.
“Garages want to rebuild their margins,” says an expert.
I see at least 100 euros coming in for remote diagnostics at each check-up.
"
Think of the tax credit for installing a charging station.
Plugging into a standard household outlet is "very inadvisable," warns EDF, even if, according to a recent Enedis survey, nearly one in two electrical conductors does so.
There are two main types of chargers for home installation: the reinforced wall outlet and the charging station.
The reinforced socket, the least expensive equipment, allows so-called "slow" recharging, between 8 am and 1 pm.
Count a budget from 400 euros, material and labor.
The charging station (also called a wallbox) can be recharged in five to seven hours.
Count from 1,100 euros all inclusive.
It is more expensive, but benefits from a financial aid system (2021 tax credit).
In addition, subsidies are also in place for condominiums.
Be careful if you buy
second-hand
...
“How much is a second-hand electric really worth?
It's a bit the same question as for an iPhone, laughs Frédéric Lecroart.
I feel like I'm getting a good deal, but what if the product no longer holds a charge?
The first generations of these cars aged very quickly ... "So check the battery capacity and" plan a longer range than your journeys ", advises Trustoo, number 1 in France for pre-purchase inspection of used cars .
In winter, storage is weakened and the use of heating increases consumption.
Give preference to vehicles which run regularly and which have been stored warm (box, parking).
Finally, examine the running gear.
Heavier, the electrics put a lot of strain on the trajectory control elements.
Make sure they are not tampered with.