the hybrid car takes precedence over the electric

Is the hybrid engine calling into question the electric car? The hybrid is clearly taking over, the trend is confirmed in France, but also elsewhere.

Let’s not draw hasty conclusions but, it is a fact, mixed gasoline-electric propulsion is establishing itself on the market. These are hybrids that recharge while driving, and therefore do not need to be plugged in. This is obviously a big advantage over all-electric. In 2023, 4.2 million hybrid models will be sold worldwide, or 300,000 more over the year.

Lost bet for the electric car?

Since the start of 2024 – therefore with a little more than two months of hindsight – hybrid cars represent nearly 37% of registrations, compared to 17% for electric cars. Sales of hybrids on the French market have gained almost five points over one year, with Toyota dominating ahead of Renault.

Several factors explain this stronger demand for hybrid cars. Despite the efforts of manufacturers, electric models remain expensive to purchase and inexpensive cars are long overdue. In addition, in France as in Germany, public aid is falling. In France, the ecological bonus for the purchase of a car increases from 5,000 to 4,000 euros for wealthy taxpayers. But beyond the cost, the autonomy is not there and charging stations are still missing on the side of the roads.

The consumer is not fooled. Today, it is better to invest in a hybrid car which offers the possible use of gasoline rather than an electric car that is more restrictive and has less autonomy on long journeys.

Difficulty in Europe as in the United States

Of course, the all-electric car bet is not lost. But the challenges to achieving the perfect vehicle are still numerous. Throughout Europe, political ambition has not taken into account industrial resources and the necessary colossal investments. But it is the same in the United States: giants like Ford and General Motors are in the process, not of going backwards, but of delaying certain investments in electric cars to concentrate on hybrid propulsion.