15 days before the Paris Motor Show, the two French manufacturers, Renault and Stellantis are warning: it is risky to bet everything on electric vehicles. The decryption of Fanny Guinochet.
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Car manufacturers are investing billions of euros in electric vehicles, because the instructions from Brussels are clear: in Europe after 2035, it will no longer be possible to buy a thermal vehicle. But manufacturers are worried about this switch to all-electric because the context is less and less favorable. First, there is the price of electricity, which is rising. All terminal operators are experiencing increases. As a result, recharging your vehicle at public terminals is more expensive.
At home, individuals are still protected by the tariff shield but they will be a little less so next year. This winter, the government is calling for energy sobriety. There is also the still very penalizing lack of semiconductors. For lack of parts, manufacturers must regularly stop their production lines and no improvement in sight before next year. Finally, the batteries. Admittedly, factories are being built in France, but these batteries are made with rare metals, which are imported from Asia. In the longer term, we have a real problem
For a long time Carlos Tavares, the boss of Stellantis underlines the social risk. Not everyone will be able to afford a clean vehicle which costs on average 25% more than a thermal one. Admittedly, electric cars now represent nearly 13% of sales in France, according to the latest figures. It is progressing quite quickly, but it is thanks in particular to government aid and bonuses. Ecological bonuses which will be reduced next year. They could be reserved for electric cars manufactured on European territory. Bercy is campaigning in this direction.
One of the best-selling electric cars in France is Dacia’s Spring, imported from China. It is also one of the cheapest on the market. The Chinese are currently very aggressive in Europe on electricity. Something to worry French manufacturers: They had a competitive advantage with combustion engines, but they tend to lose it with electrics.