In 2024, electric vehicle sales in France have declined primarily due to their high costs, though charging infrastructure is improving. Over 100,000 public charging points exist, with 88% of homeowners charging at home. Despite challenges in shared living spaces, significant progress has been made, with an increase in charging points and buildings approving installation. New regulations require parking spaces in larger residential buildings to be pre-equipped for future charging installations, promoting further adoption of electric vehicles.
Decline in Electric Car Sales in France
In 2024, it’s clear that the sales of electric vehicles (EVs) in France have taken a hit. A significant factor contributing to this trend is the high price point of these vehicles, which many consumers find prohibitive. However, other obstacles to adopting electric cars are diminishing in importance.
Charging Infrastructure and Progress
Despite the decline in sales, the landscape for electric vehicle charging is improving. One major concern among drivers is the fear of running out of battery, but this is becoming less of a worry due to the extensive network of public charging stations available across France. Currently, there are over 100,000 charging points nationwide. Interestingly, most EV users charge their vehicles at home; a study indicates that 88% of homeowners utilize home charging, compared to just 49% of those in apartment complexes.
The challenge lies in the complexity of installing charging stations in shared living spaces, despite regulations like the right to plug that aim to simplify the process. As we approach the end of 2024, Avere-France has shed light on the situation with its latest barometer, revealing promising statistics. There are now 19,147 charging points in collective residential buildings, with 32,051 buildings having approved the implementation of shared charging infrastructure.
While only 9,988 buildings currently have installed charging stations, the upward trend is encouraging. Compared to previous reports, the number of available charging points has surged by 8.77%, and the proportion of equipped buildings has risen by 8.65%. A total of 32,151 co-ownerships have voted in favor of installing charging stations, reflecting a 5.04% increase from the last quarter.
Nonetheless, there remains a considerable amount of work ahead. Avere-France collaborated with AFOR (French Association of Charging Operators) and Enedis to gather these insights, and the overall movement toward better infrastructure is evident. In the first quarter of 2024, there were only 8,383 buildings with charging facilities, a number that has now approached nearly 10,000. Although this represents merely 3.71% of buildings, it shows progress.
While 11.91% of buildings have approved the installation of charging stations, the pace is slow due to administrative hurdles and the time required for implementation. Currently, most installations are occurring in existing buildings rather than new developments, as the latter are fewer in number. However, stringent regulations are in place for new constructions. Article 64 of the Mobility Orientation Law mandates that all parking spaces in new residential buildings with over ten spots must be pre-equipped for charging, ensuring they have electrical connections available for future installation of wallboxes by residents.