Marina does not waste time detailing the “clean cars” sheet.
The 29-year-old woman who walks the parking lot of the vast Renault dealership in Pantin (Seine-Saint-Denis), in the company of her mother and a friend, is not yet fixed on the used car model that she intends to buy.
But it is already sure of its engine.
“It will be an essence,” she assures us.
“Not a diesel because they will soon be banned in Paris.
And not a hybrid or electric car either ... because it's too expensive.
I know that subsidies are not just for new vehicles.
But electrics, even used, remain above my budget, ”says the young woman more interested in a Dacia Stepway of 55,000 kilometers sold for 10,190 euros than by the demonstration Zoe (only 3,500 kilometers on the clock) at 18,490 euros parked nearby.
READ ALSO>
Grand Paris: electric and hybrid cars are popular ... but not everywhere
Beyond the question of price, Marina who lives in Sevran (Seine-Saint-Denis) is in any case not convinced by the interest of electric for her trips.
“I would have problems finding a charging point ... And then there is the question of autonomy.
I will use my car especially in the city.
But I also want to be able to use it to go and see my mother who moved to the Dordogne ”... 600 kilometers from Sevran.
According to Daniel Guimard, sales representative of the dealership located in one of the three towns of Seine-Saint-Denis where he sold the least electric cars last year, “the main obstacle to the sale of electric vehicles is is not financial.
We have attractive long-term rental systems.
And, here, we sell thermal models that are much more expensive than some electric ones ”.
"It's more expensive to buy but more economical afterwards"
"The first problem is rather the lack of charging infrastructure," continues the salesman, stressing that if Paris (located 500 meters from the concession) has many public road terminals, it is far from being the case in Seine-Saint-Denis.
“Within a radius of 10 kilometers, there is hardly anything except in a few car parks or in large shopping centers.
And if you don't live in a single-family house, it's complicated to install a home charging solution.
"
READ ALSO>
To recharge your electric car in Ile-de-France, "it's the D system"
Another place, another atmosphere ... In the 8th arrondissement, in the heart of the Parisian business district (the number 1 sector for electric vehicle sales last year), there are many charging stations.
Old Autolib 'stations put back into service, terminals of the Belib' network, "electrified" spaces in car parks ... Almost 90 charging points are available to motorists in the borough.
135 in the neighboring XVI.
“And on-street parking is free!
», Specifies Matthieu, a 45-year-old executive, who returns to his e-208 after a face-to-face meeting at the office.
This inhabitant of Vaucresson (Hauts-de-Seine) is delighted to have gone electric.
“It's more expensive to buy but so much more economical afterwards,” enthuses the motorist, won over by the “silence” of his own car.
No recharging problem.
Matthieu had an outlet installed in the garage of his pavilion.
No worries of autonomy either.
“For long journeys, vacations, we use another car.
A diesel!
"
In this plush village of Yvelines, electricity is popular
“The electric car is almost always the second vehicle,” notes “expert” Jean-Yves Le Pennec, finance assistant at the town hall of Les Mesnuls.
This wealthy little village of Yvelines, of less than 900 souls, won the title of ... Ile-de-France champion of clean vehicles last year.
22.2 electric or hybrid vehicles per 1,000 inhabitants (i.e. 19 purchases in the village) were acquired there in 2020. Far ahead of the city of Le Bourget (Seine-Saint-Denis), last in the ranking with its 1, 5 sales per 1,000 inhabitants.
Morning essentials newsletter
A tour of the news to start the day
Subscribe to the newsletterAll newsletters
This result does not surprise the elected representative of a village with a population essentially made up of "CSP + and well-off retirees" who live in individual houses that are easy to equip.
“In rural areas, a car is almost essential.
But for short daily trips or even to go to work in Paris, an electric vehicle is quite sufficient.
For two years, there have been actions to raise awareness of soft energies.
A few households have started to equip themselves with a second electric car.
Word of mouth did the rest.
Now in the village, we see Nissan-e, Zoe, Tesla ... », welcomes the deputy mayor, himself happy owner of an electric Mini Cooper.
