How to Choose Your Electric Car: Our Guide to Making the Right Choice

Faced with the growing range of electric cars in France, how do you make the right choice? Between range, charging solutions, budget, and daily usage, there are many criteria to consider. Our guide will help you step by step to identify the electric vehicle that truly suits your needs, whether you are a city dweller, a large family, a frequent traveler, or a professional.

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The 5-Criteria Method for Making the Right Choice

Choosing an electric car is not something you improvise. With dozens of models available and price differences that can vary threefold, clarity is essential. We have identified five important criteria to determine if your vehicle truly meets your needs: your daily mileage, your charging options, the space you need, your total budget, and the essential equipment.

Usage and Daily Kilometers

The first criterion for choosing your electric car is your actual usage. Calculate your average daily kilometers over a typical week. A 30 km round-trip commute represents 150 km per week. For this usage, a range of 250 to 300 km is more than sufficient. If you regularly travel more than 300 km at a time, opt for a model offering at least 400 km of WLTP range and efficient fast-charging capability.

Range and Charging Solutions

The announced WLTP range represents a theoretical maximum. In real-world use, expect about 80% of this value under optimal conditions. In winter with heating, this range can decrease by up to 30%. A car with a 400 km WLTP range will actually travel between 280 and 320 km depending on conditions.

The ability to charge at home completely changes the game. A reinforced outlet or wallbox allows you to charge overnight. A 7.4 kW charger recovers about 30 km per hour, and an 11 kW charger recovers about 50 km per hour. Fast DC charging becomes essential for long trips: a 100 kW charger recovers 250 km in 30 minutes, and 150 to 350 kW chargers recharge 300 to 400 km in 20 to 30 minutes. Electra fast-charging stations, located on major routes and commercial areas, offer these high powers to minimize your downtime. Without home charging, opt for a model that accepts at least 100 kW and check the density of fast-charging stations on your routes.

Size and Space According to Your Needs

City cars like the Renault 5 or Peugeot e-208 are suitable for urban travel with 300 to 350 liters of trunk space. Compacts like the Mégane E-Tech offer 350 to 450 liters, suitable for families of four. SUVs like the Kia EV6 offer 450 to 600 liters with a high seating position. Sedans like the Tesla Model 3 combine space and aerodynamics favorable to range.

Budget and Total Cost of Ownership

City cars start around €25,000 (Renault 5 Five at €24,990, Citroën ë-C3 at €23,300, Peugeot e-208 from €34,100). Compacts range between €35,000 and €45,000. Energy costs reach €3 to €4 for 100 km when charging at home compared to €8 to €10 for gasoline, saving €750 to €1,050 annually over 15,000 km. Maintenance costs €200 to €400 per year compared to €800 to €1,200 for a thermal car.

Key Equipment

The heat pump preserves 15 to 30 km of range in winter by heating 2 to 3 times more efficiently. Offered as an option between €500 and €800, it proves profitable from the first year. The integrated route planner automatically calculates charging stops. Remote preheating conditions the cabin without draining the battery.

Plug-in Hybrid or 100% Electric?

A plug-in hybrid combines a thermal engine and an electric motor with 40 to 80 km of range in 100% electric mode. On paper, this solution seems to offer the best of both worlds: driving electric in the city and using the thermal engine on the highway. However, real-world use reveals several significant limitations.

The high weight is the first disadvantage. With two powertrains on board, plug-in hybrids weigh 200 to 300 kg more than a thermal equivalent. This additional mass increases real consumption, especially if you do not charge daily. Without regular charging, consumption rises to 8-12 L/100 km, far exceeding that of a modern diesel. Mechanical complexity also doubles the risk of breakdowns with two systems to maintain. Finally, since 2025, plug-in hybrids no longer benefit from any government incentives.

The 100% electric offers disconcerting simplicity. A single motor, a single energy source, minimal maintenance. With 300 to 600 km of range depending on the model, it covers 95% of daily trips without compromise. Night charging ensures you start each morning with a full battery. Usage costs remain predictable: €3-4/100 km at home, maintenance reduced by 60% compared to thermal, no oil changes or clutches to replace.

For whom does the plug-in hybrid still make sense? Only if you regularly travel more than 500 km at a time without the possibility of fast charging, and you systematically recharge the battery every evening. In all other cases, prefer 100% electric for less than 400 km daily with an accessible charging solution. You will gain in simplicity, usage costs, and reliability.

New or Used: How to Decide?

Buying New

Buying new benefits from the latest technologies, a full warranty (3 years vehicle, 8 years battery), and the "boost for private electric vehicles" bonus. Since July 1, 2025, this aid funded by Energy Savings Certificates offers €4,200 for households whose reference tax income per share is less than or equal to €26,200 and €3,100 for other households.

Conditions: new 100% electric vehicle, price below €47,000 including VAT, weight below 2,400 kg, environmental score ≥ 60 points. From October 1, 2025, an additional €1,000 bonus is added for vehicles assembled in Europe with a European battery, bringing the total aid to €5,200.

Buying Used

The market offers attractive prices: Renault ZOE 2020 between €7,000 and €18,000, Tesla Model 3 2021 around €25,000. Battery health (SoH) is the crucial criterion. Request a certificate: SoH above 90% is excellent, 85-90% acceptable, below that negotiate strongly. Battery warranties of 8 years are transferable. Depreciation has stabilized at 20-40% over 3 years for recent models.

Budget and Acquisition Methods

Four options are available to finance your electric car, each suited to different profiles.

Purchasing outright makes you the owner immediately and remains the most economical solution if you keep your vehicle for more than 5 years, avoiding all financial fees and allowing you to resell freely.

Auto credit spreads the investment over 3 to 7 years with current rates between 4 and 7% depending on your profile: for a €35,000 vehicle with a €7,000 down payment over 5 years, expect around €525 per month, with the possibility of adjusting monthly payments based on the chosen duration.

Long-Term Leasing (LLD) offers a fixed monthly payment including maintenance, assistance, and sometimes insurance, generally between €250 for a city car and €500 for a compact. This formula is perfect if you change vehicles regularly and want to control your budget without managing resale, but beware of penalties for exceeding mileage limits.

Finally, Lease with Purchase Option (LOA) combines leasing and the possibility of acquisition: monthly payments are lower but include a final purchase option representing 5 to 15% of the initial price. This flexibility allows you to test the vehicle before buying it definitively, for a total cost about 15 to 20% higher than a classic loan.

5 User Profiles, 5 Recommendations

Urban User (less than 50 km/day)

If you travel less than 50 kilometers per day mainly in the city, a city electric car will perfectly meet your needs. You will need a range of 200 to 300 km in WLTP cycle, more than enough to cover your weekly trips. A simple reinforced outlet at home is sufficient for night charging. Suitable models include the Renault 5 Five at €24,990 for 312 km range, the Citroën ë-C3 starting at €23,300 with 320 km, and the Peugeot e-208 offering 362 km from €34,100. Plan for a total budget between €23,000 and €35,000.

Suburban User (50-100 km/day)

For mixed city-suburban use with 50 to 100 kilometers daily, aim for a range of 300 to 400 km, which will guarantee a recharge every 3 to 4 days. Installing a 7.4 kW wallbox becomes essential to quickly recover the necessary range. The Renault Mégane E-Tech offers 468 km WLTP range for €39,500, while the MG4 is priced at €29,990 with 435 km. Plan for a budget between €30,000 and €45,000.

Family

Families need space and range. Aim for 400 to 500 km of range with a minimum trunk space of 450 liters to accommodate strollers, luggage, and sports equipment. A 11 kW home wallbox combined with 100 to 150 kW fast charging will ensure serene weekend and vacation departures. The Peugeot e-3008 offers 527 km range and 520 liters of trunk space for €38,650, while the Kia EV6 offers 528 km and 490 liters from €43,950. Plan for a budget between €40,000 and €55,000.

Frequent Travelers (more than 30,000 km/year)

If you travel more than 30,000 kilometers annually, range becomes critical. Look for a minimum of 500 to 600 km WLTP to space out recharges and a fast-charging capacity of 150 to 350 kW to minimize downtime. Sedans like the Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive offer 520 km for €39,990, the Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive version offers 629 km at €44,990, while the Hyundai Ioniq 6 reaches 614 km. These models require a budget of €40,000 to €60,000.

Professionals

Professionals benefit from significant tax advantages: full depreciation of the vehicle, reduced company car tax, and a total cost of ownership 20 to 30% lower over 4 years compared to thermal. Install professional charging solutions of 7 to 22 kW on-site and equip yourself with a multi-operator card for roaming charging. Suitable models include the Mégane E-Tech, e-308, Model 3, as well as electric utility vehicles for craftsmen and merchants.

Charging with Electra

Over 400 stations in France offer high-power chargers to quickly recharge your vehicle. The mobile app allows you to locate, reserve, and pay easily. Transparent rates: €0.49/kWh without subscription, €0.39/kWh with Electra+ (€4.99/month), €0.29/kWh with the optimal formula (€19.99/month). For 60 kWh (400 km): from €17.40 to €29.40 depending on the plan. Check the station map.

2025 Grants and Incentives

Since July 1, 2025, the "boost for private electric vehicles" grant, funded by Energy Savings Certificates, offers up to €4,200 for households whose reference tax income per share is less than or equal to €26,200 and €3,100 for other households. From October 1, 2025, an additional €1,000 grant is added for vehicles assembled in Europe with a European battery, bringing the maximum aid to €5,200.

Conditions: new 100% electric vehicle, price below €47,000 including VAT, weight below 2,400 kg, environmental score ≥ 60 points. Apply within 6 months of invoicing.

Charging station tax credit: 75% capped at €500 for home installation. Social leasing: returns on September 30, 2025, from €95/month for low-income households (tax income below €15,400 per share). Local grants: €500 to €2,000 depending on the community. Check conditions on government websites.

Our Opinion

Choosing an electric car in 2025 is simple with a mature offering and a dense network of fast-charging stations. Analyze your usage, calculate the required range, identify your charging solutions, and define your budget. Prefer 100% electric for less than 400 km daily, new for significant grants, used to optimize your budget. Always test several models before deciding.

Switching to electric simplifies your daily life: no more trips to the gas station, reduced maintenance, night charging, silence, and unique comfort. Savings over 5 years compensate for the initial investment.

Download the Electra app and rediscover the pleasure of electric driving with access to the best fast-charging stations. Use code PLUS2 for the first month free on App Store or Google Play.