An electric car pollutes more than a thermal: true or false

In terms of maintenance, the electric car shows itself, once again, much more profitable than a thermal car.

Thermal car or electric car: which one to choose ?

Thermal or electric car, the eternal debate on which is the most advantageous for the consumer continues to feed the canvas and is even the subject of numerous comparative studies with supported data.

To give you a real idea of ​​the current situation, we present you a small analysis that will enable your choice before purchasing.

Thermal vs electric car: final energy consumption

Which consumes the most between the electric car and the thermal car ? A position on the subject does not have to be to the extent that several factors influence the vehicle consumption.

If the limit of numbers of kilometers that you can travel behind the wheel of a thermal vehicle is based on the capacity of the tank, for the electric car, this parameter remains dependent on the capacity of the battery.

For an electric motor vehicle equipped with a 60 kWh battery, count between 3 or 4 hours maximum autonomy for an average consumption of 15 kWh/100 km. However, this figure can greatly fluctuate depending in particular by the weight of the car as well as its power. It goes without saying that these are the characteristics of the vehicle that you do not have the control. On the other hand, it is quite possible to restrict consumption by adjusting the way you drive.

On an electric car as on a thermal, the best way to reduce fuel consumption is to adopt an eco -responsible driving. This approach implies for example:

• To drive at a constant speed.
• To avoid pressing the accelerator untimely.
• To use highest speed reports at the time of acceleration.

By noting that the use of equipment such as air conditioning or heating can also increase energy consumption and substantially reduce battery autonomy.

In reality, the Comparison between an electric and thermal car In terms of consumption remains an in progress debate, the price for the pump or the charge is unequivocal.

Thermal or electric car: how much should you pay to refuel ?

In terms of energy cost, the comparison turns to the advantage of the electric motor. Indeed, if for a thermal car, the price of fuel to the pump fixed by the distributors remains stationary (between 1 and 2 € per liter depending on the type of fuel). The electric car benefits from several Recharge options through the various electrical networks which make it possible to more or less reduce the invoice.

The owners of thermal vehicle then know what to stick to when refueling petrol station. The calculation is simple: count on average € 250 for a monthly trip of 1250 km

Regarding electric cars, different recharge systems are made available to users. The objective is to allow any specifically to calculate the cost linked to recharge and limit expenses according to their needs and means.

From the most economical solutions to the most expensive are then offered to motorists. Their cost varies especially according to the speed of the load cycle offered by the load terminal.

Home load system

Currently, the Home electric vehicle recharge turns out to be the most economical solution. The price of a load for a 60 kWh battery is estimated at € 6 on average. Note however that the disadvantage of this option lies in the fact that it offers a slow load cycle. A classic home intake provides an average of 2 kW in 1 hour. A full load of a 60 kWh battery can last up to 30 hours.

Fortunately, it is now possible to halve this charging time half thanks to the installation of a reinforced socket like the charger Wallbox. In addition to the speed of load, this domestic load terminal also has the advantage of carrying out an automatic start during the off -peak period. It should indeed be emphasized that the fact of subscribing to an electricity subscription with the full hour/hollow hours option is another solution which contributes to reducing the energy bill, provided of course to load only to the best pricing periods C ‘that is to say during off-peak hours.

Public charging stations

Another way to reduce the time spent to recharge your electric car is to resort to the load terminals of the public network, in particular those provided by operators such as Ionity, tesla or Total.

As a rule, three charging options are offered on these types of terminals: normal, fast or very fast load. If you choose the last option, 3 hours on average are needed to recharge the vehicle. But the reverse of the medal lies in the cost of the load which will logically increase compared to the cost of a home load. But here again, the price can vary depending on whether you choose a billing at the KWH, on time or on the package.

Be that as it may, the difference in terms of energy price consumed is very real between an electric and thermal vehicle, since the first offers its user the possibility of controlling their expenditure according to their needs of the moment. An aspect that is obviously not possible with a thermal car, unless perhaps considering reducing the mileage of the journeys to be made.

Cost of the maintenance of an electric car vs thermal

In terms of maintenance, the electric car shows itself, once again, much more profitable than a thermal car.

Looking under the hood, we can already see the complexity of a heat engine compared to that of an electric motor which benefits from a simplified architecture.

To ensure that your vehicle does not let you go along the way, the heat engine made up of several mechanical parts, that is as many potential sources of breakdown, requires a regular maintenance. Some main organs (ignition candle, belts, filters, etc.) which ensure the proper functioning of the engine requires revision each year, at least every 15,000 km. The objective is to check if a simple cleansing is sufficient or if a replacement should be immediately carried out in order to anticipate the arrival of a breakdown. Without forgetting of course the need to make an oil change to avoid fouling and ensure good lubrication of all the gear, thus making it possible to avoid friction while protecting the elements of the.

For information, note that if the maintenance of the oil filter and the air filter is not carried out regularly this can cause a Fuel overconsumption.

On the side of the electric car, the engine maintenance sessions are rare, even nonexistent. It depends mainly on driving the vehicle. The engine requires no maintenance, just like the battery. In order to increase the lifespan and keep a constant autonomy of the latter, it is enough to follow the load mode recommended by the manufacturers.

Only a few elements require replacements in the event of wear, such as tires or brakes. However, note that with regard to the brakes, an energy recovery system during braking allows them to be asked for a minimum.

Electric car vs thermal: which is the most economical to purchase ?

To purchase, equivalent model, a electric car is more expensive than a petrol or diesel car. This is mainly explained by the cost of producing an electric motor which is much higher.

To deal with competition and meet the real needs of users, manufacturers have the choice only to make colossal investments in new technologies relating to battery life. Note that the battery alone represents more than a third of the cost of producing an electric car. It is therefore quite understandable if the enormous expenses related to the construction of the vehicle repercussions on the sale price presented to buyers.

Despite this state of affairs, the sale of electric cars has experienced considerable boom in recent decades. However, it must be recognized that consumers remain sensitive to the price factor.

This situation is mainly explained by the purchase price of the electric car, although it is particularly high compared to the other types of motorization (petrol engine, diesel engine, hybrid, etc.), which is quickly profitable, more or more or Less long term, thanks to infrequent maintenance, as well as consumption of electrical energy that can be modulated by choosing the charging system adapted to its needs.

In addition, if you plan to buy an electric car, know that the State has set up a purchase assistance system: the Ecological bonus. This is precisely a financial aid granted to individuals and professionals aimed at lightening this cost of expensive acquisition, under certain conditions. As a general rule, the amount of this aid which represents more than 20 % of the vehicle price is deducted directly from the dealer. If necessary, the buyer will be reimbursed after purchase by previously taking certain steps.

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An electric car pollutes more than a thermal: true or false ?

We have all heard the thesis that an electric car would make more CO2 than its thermal equivalent, and therefore would not be better for the climate. So, true or false ? It is true, if we stick strictly to the manufacture of the car, battery included. But it is perfectly false if we take into account the whole of your life cycle. Now let it be said: this is the only relevant way to calculate the carbon footprint of a vehicle ! We explain to you.

1. 65 % less CO2 emissions for the electric car
2. Not the same assessment in France as in Poland
3. Improve the balance sheet with batteries made in France

The electric car emits less greenhouse gases (GHG) on the whole of its life cycle than a thermal car, that is to say taking into account the manufacture of the vehicle-including the manufacture of the battery – use and end of life. “” All “serious” studies show it “Says Laurent Perron, project manager automotive industry at the Shift Project, the famous Think Tank recognized for his commitment to the climate and his scientific rigor.

65 % less CO2 emissions for the electric car

The calculation is simple. For a medium -sized vehicle carrying out an average mileage during its lifetime, the orders of magnitude are as follows: 6 tonnes of CO2 emissions for the manufacture of the thermal vehicle, to compare with 5 tonnes of CO2 for the manufacture of sound electric equivalent, to which must be added 5 tonnes for the manufacture of the battery. If we hold there, obviously, the electrical assessment is clearly unfavorable. But it is especially very incomplete !

During the driving phase, emissions from the electric vehicle are very low: around 2 to 3 tonnes of CO2 in a country with decarbonized electricity.

Laurent Perron,
Automobile industry project manager at Shift Project

Because the main position of emission of a thermal car is its use. Clearly, this is the CO2 emitted when the vehicle, riding, burns gas or diesel. “” Over an average lifespan, the thermal vehicle will emit between 30 and 40 tonnes of CO2, depending on the mileage “, Details Laurent Perron. We are far away, very far from the issue level of an electric vehicle rolling in France. “” During the driving phase, the emissions of the electric vehicle are very low: around 2 to 3 tonnes of CO2, depending on the mileage, in a country with decarbonized electricity. »»

Add to that the emissions linked to the end of life, equivalent for the two engines, and the account is good: we have a factor of decrease of the order of two thirds between the complete life cycles of a thermal car and electric car. In other words : The electric vehicle emits 65 % CO2 less than its thermal equivalent.

Comparison between the carbon footprint of a thermal vehicle and that of a medium -sized electric vehicle. © Roole

The fact that electricity is or not decarbonized in the country where the electric vehicle rolls is a first -rate factor.

Laurent Perron,
Automobile industry project manager at Shift Project

Is the electric car really ecological ? ADEME’s opinion

Not the same assessment in France as in Poland

The electricity of the electric is not the same all over the world, can we be retorted. Quite ! “” The fact that electricity is or not decarbonized in the country where the electric vehicle rolls is a first -rate factor »Recalls our expert. “” A car that rolls in France or Sweden emits less than an equivalent thermal car on the whole of its life cycle (of the order of two thirds less). This is also true in a country with carbonated electricity: the electric car remains a little less emissive, in lower proportions “Explains Laurent Perron, before adding:” And it will probably be even more true in the future, because countries with carbon electricity like Germany will go more and more towards a decarbonized electricity, which will promote the overall balance of the electric vehicle. »We can indeed count on the increase in the share of renewable energies in the energy mix of many countries to play positively on the balance sheet of the electric everywhere in the world.

Improve the balance sheet with batteries made in France

This carbon assessment, clearly to the advantage of electricity, will be even more so when the batteries are made in countries with decarbonized electricity. “” In France, there are 3 batteries manufacturing projects in pipes. Compared to batteries today made in countries like China or Poland, the battery manufacturing assessment will then be more favorable. Making an average battery of 50 kWh today emits 5 tonnes of CO2 in these countries. Tomorrow, the manufacturing emissions of this same battery, manufactured in France, will be around 2.5 to 3 tonnes of CO2. So we will have saved 2 tonnes of CO2. »The electric car still has under the foot !