What a bore: your old internal combustion car has broken down again! Maybe it's time to change... and consider switching to electric! Because you're concerned about your impact on the environment, it's obviously a good idea to reduce your daily transport-related emissions.

However, there is a cost involved in buying a new vehicle: how much more will you have to pay compared with buying a petrol vehicle? Will the state in which I live be able to help me make the transition to electric? And in the long term, is it worth it?

By taking into account the initial cost, energy costs and lifetime, we can help you calculate the usage cost, and therefore the potential savings that choosing an electric vehicle could represent... and, who knows, take the plunge!

 

Initial investment: a narrowing gap

The purchase price of an electric vehicle is still generally higher than that of an equivalent internal combustion model. This difference is mainly due to the high cost of batteries, which require rare and expensive materials, as well as complex production processes.

Today, the average price of a new internal combustion vehicle is estimated at around €30,000, compared with an average of €40,000 for an electric vehicle.  However, a number of factors are helping to reduce this difference:

- Government grants: In France, the government offers a number of incentives to encourage the purchase of electric cars. The ecological bonus can currently reach up a maximum of €4,000 (with a possible increase of €1,000 for overseas residents).
The complementary conversion allowance has been abolished in 2025.

Other countries, such as Spain, offer assistance for the purchase of an electric vehicle.

- Local incentives: Some regions or municipalities offer additional support, which may take the form of direct subsidies, tax exemptions or benefits linked to the use of electric vehicles.

- Manufacturer offers: Some manufacturers offer special discounts for their electric models.

- Leasing: A long-term leasing scheme (LOA) with an increase in the environmental bonus of up to €13,000 has been launched for 2024. An option worth considering!

It is important to note that these grants are likely to change over time, as they reflect public policies on energy transition.

 

Running costs: a significant advantage for electric vehicles

Is electricity expensive? What if my vehicle breaks down?
Running costs take two aspects into account: the cost of energy, and the cost of servicing and maintenance.

Let's look first at the cost of energy.

Early 2025 in France, the average cost of fuel is €1.85 per litre, varying according to the type of fuel and market fluctuations. For a vehicle consuming an average of 6 litres per 100 kilometres, the annual cost for 15,000 kilometres is estimated at €1,665. 

An equivalent electric vehicle will consume an average of 18 kWh per 100 kilometres, with an average electricity cost in France of €0.22 per kWh for home recharging. The average price of public charging is higher, estimated at around €0.40/kWh on average, and covers several pricing methods and prices that may vary according to several criteria. Assuming 80% of charging is done at home and 20% at public charging points, we estimate the total cost of charging at €691 for the same annual distance of 15,000 kilometres.

The saving in energy costs is therefore substantial! On an annual basis of 15,000 kilometres, it amounts to €973 according to our estimate.

 

And what about maintenance? This is also an advantage for electric cars. Electric vehicles benefit from simplified mechanics: an electric motor contains around 20 moving parts, whereas a combustion engine has more than 2,000. This simplicity means less wear and tear, fewer potential breakdowns and longer service intervals. What's more, electric vehicles don't require the use of oil, which has to be taken into account when carrying out maintenance.

According to a study by UFC-Que Choisir, the maintenance costs of an electric vehicle are 20% to 30% lower than those of a combustion-powered vehicle over a period of 7 years.

 

 And over time? Battery life

The durability of batteries has long been a source of concern. At ACC, battery life is one of our top priorities. Most manufacturers now offer a standard warranty of 8 years or 160,000 km. A Geotab study from September 2024 carried out on 5,000 electric vehicles showed an average battery degradation rate of 1.8% per year, with this rate reduced to 1% for the most efficient vehicles currently on sale - according to these observations, the latest generation batteries could therefore last 20 years or more.

 

 

The break-even point: what does it mean?

The break-even point is the mileage at which an electric vehicle becomes more economical than a combustion vehicle. In other words, the point at which operating costs compensate for the difference in initial cost. This point obviously varies depending on the model and conditions of use, but recent studies generally put it at between 30,000 and 50,000 km.

In conclusion, an analysis of the total cost of ownership reveals that, despite a higher initial investment, electric vehicles can be more economical in the long term! This profitability increases with the number of kilometres driven, and is particularly advantageous for drivers with a high annual mileage. These figures are constantly changing, and the growing number of electric vehicles suggests sustainable savings.

As each situation is unique, potential drivers can carry out a personalised analysis, taking into account their driving habits, their access to recharging infrastructure, and local specificities in terms of costs and incentives. There are tools available for making personalised estimates, such as the one developed by the International Energy Agency (Electric Vehicles: Total Cost of Ownership Tool - Data Tools - IEA).

So, are you ready to replace that old combustion engine car and reduce your carbon footprint by going electric?