Category: Electric Vehicle

Into the future

In this final article in the series, I would like to cover future technology and its influence on personal transport.

Solar Power V2H. Currently, if you have photovoltaic (PV) panels on your roof, you can install a home battery to store excess energy generated during the day and use it at night.

In the future, it will be possible to connect your electric vehicle directly to your home’s PV system, using the car’s battery to store surplus energy and power your house when needed.

This setup is known as Vehicle-to-Home (V2H). The main advantage is that an EV typically has a much larger battery capacity than a standard home storage system. With the right settings, you can ensure that enough charge remains in the car, so it stays fully usable for driving.

Electric Car Leasing. At the time of writing, the French government is reopening its subsidised electric car ‘social leasing’ programme on 30 September. Eligible households with a taxable income below €16,300 per part can lease certain EVs for 3–5 years, with a subsidy of over €7,000, thus lowering costs.

Monthly payments will range from €95–€200, slightly higher than for the 2024 scheme. Applicants must meet additional criteria (e.g. commuting more than or equal to 15 km, professional use, no prior bonus écologiquegrant). The scheme is funded via certificats d’économie d’énergie rather than the state budget. Applications will be submitted through an official online portal, and dossiers can be prepared in advance.

Off Peak Electricity. From November, electricity off-peak hours will shift from evening to afternoon, affecting when households can access cheaper rates. This impacts cost-saving habits like EV charging. Electricity account holders will be notified in advance so they can adjust their usage.

Local Public Charging. Since I started to write these articles the local electricity company Séolis-Alterbase has modernised its electric vehicle charging accounts. They no longer cover only Deux-Sèvres, but now all of France and Europe. They now have a mobile phone app rather than having to do everything via the website and you are charged once a month rather than the amounts deducted from a pre-pay account. You may have seen their updated chargers as well as chargers in new locations.

Electric Vehicle Availability.  For years, the common complaint you will read is that electric cars are too expensive. What people don’t take into account is that the running costs of an EV are much lower than a petrol or diesel car.  Over a 5 to10 year span (depending on your annual usage) the cost balances out in the favour of electric vehicles.

However, as manufacturers have been reducing the production of their petrol and diesel cars and increasing the number of hybrid and pure electric vehicles, difference in price is narrowing fast.

I recently saw that with the grant here in France, the EV model of a particular small car was the same price as the petrol model. Percentage-wise, the price difference now isn’t that large, as the price of petrol or petrol-hybrid cars has been increasing in recent years.

Smaller, more family suited electric vehicles are coming onto the market, replacing their petrol equivalents that will soon cease to be produced.

Sadly, I don’t have an up-to-date crystal ball to know when the right time is to buy. You will need to weigh up all the factors depending on your personal circumstances and make that decision yourself.

Hydrogen Fuelled Cars: This might be the fuel of the future. However, the cost of refuelling and the scarcity of refuelling stations will be the factor that holds you back at present.

The cost of refuelling is currently about €15 per kg and 1kg is enough for about 100km (using various manufacturers’ figures).

In our part of France, one refuelling station is south of Tours, the other in La Roche-sur-Yon. Further afield, there are some in the Paris region, but none near the costal ports. In the UK, one can be found in West London and the other in Birmingham.

If range anxiety concerns you about EVs, I think you would be even more nervous about running a hydrogen car (at the moment at least). Therefore, our grandchildren or great grandchildren might be the ones to be driving hydrogen fuelled vehicles, if owning a car is still permitted or even current in 40-50 years’ time.

Thank you for your interest and support through this series. Don’t forget to check out our EV owners group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dsevowners/

HEV vs PHEV vs EV vs ICE

Hybrid, Full EV or Other?

When buying a new—or new-to-you—car today, the choice of power unit can feel overwhelming, with a growing mix of acronyms and technologies. Here’s a breakdown of the main options.

Petrol and Diesel

The most familiar engines are still petrol and diesel.

    • Petrol cars are straightforward to service and widely accepted in cities. They are less fuel-efficient than diesels but currently face fewer restrictions than diesels in urban areas.
    • Diesel cars offer better fuel economy but are subject to low-emission zone restrictions in cities such as London. Only the newest models are exempt from daily charges.

Both options come with manual or automatic gearboxes, but as governments plan to phase out new petrol and diesel vehicle sales within the next decade, manufacturers are focusing more on hybrids and EVs. Worth noting that some hybrids carry higher servicing costs compared with pure EVs.

Hybrid (HEV)

Hybrids, or ‘self-charging hybrids’, combine a traditional fossil fuel engine with a small battery and electric motor. The battery recharges through regenerative braking or from the engine during cruising. The electric motor mainly assists during acceleration, but has limited ability to run in electric-only mode.

Hybrids improve fuel efficiency—petrol hybrids often match diesel economy—and servicing costs are similar to petrol cars.

Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)

PHEVs use larger batteries that can be recharged from the mains electricity supply. They allow for short electric-only trips (typically up to 50 km), after which they run like standard petrol or diesel vehicles.

The purchase price is higher than hybrids or petrol/diesel cars due to the additional technology, but servicing costs remain similar to equivalent petrol or diesel models.

Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)

BEVs are fully electric, with no combustion engine. This eliminates fuel stops and reduces servicing, since there are fewer moving parts—only essentials like tyres, brakes, coolant, and wipers remain. With zero emissions, they are also far better for the environment.

BEVs use large battery packs powering one or more electric motors. Charging can be done at home or at public points and ranges continue to improve with new battery technology. Though the upfront cost is higher, lifetime running costs are significantly lower, particularly in countries like France where charging is much cheaper than in the UK.

Other Options

    • Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are technically EVs that generate power from hydrogen to charge a battery. However, high refuelling costs and a lack of filling stations make them less than practical. Many see them as the “Betamax” of the car world—innovative but unlikely to dominate.
    • Range Extender EVs (REX) use a small petrol engine solely to recharge the battery while driving. The petrol engine never powers the wheels directly, which makes running the vehicle efficient but limited. The range is still restricted, especially when extra energy is needed for heating or lighting in winter.

Conclusion

The landscape of car powertrains is evolving rapidly. Petrol and diesel remain familiar but face phase-outs and increasing restrictions. Hybrids offer a good middle ground while plug-in hybrids add more electric-only flexibility (at a higher cost). Pure EVs deliver the best long-term savings and environmental benefits, although their higher purchase price can be a hurdle. Hydrogen and range-extender options exist but are unlikely to become mainstream.

For most buyers, the decision comes down to balancing upfront cost, driving habits and requirements, and long-term running expenses in a world moving steadily toward electric mobility.

What to look out for when buying a used electric car

Buying a second-hand electric car can be a smart financial decision, but it’s essential to be thorough in your evaluation to avoid hidden problems.

Many of the following checks are the usual ones you should do when buying any sort of car before parting with your money.
First steps
Research the model’s reputation and read reviews from other owners. This can give you insights into common issues and reliability.  Search on YouTube for other owners’ reviews on the model you are considering.
Documentation & ownership
  • Carte grise: Ensure the seller is the legal owner
  • Insurance claim history (useful for accident history)
  • Service book/history: Proof of regular maintenance – sometimes digital
  • Crit-Air Certificate: Still mandatory in many regions
  • Loan Status: Make sure there’s no outstanding loan or lease on the car
  • Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): Check the VIN on the chassis, engine, and documents match
Car’s physical condition
Exterior:
  • Scratches, dents, rust, uneven paint may indicate previous accident damage/repair
  • Condition of tyres – uneven wear may indicate alignment issues
  • Windscreen & lights – cracks or fogging
Interior:
  • Seats, upholstery and roof lining condition
  • Functionality of AC, heater, infotainment system
  • Dashboard warning lights
  • Window, lock and mirror controls
On the test drive
  • Steering alignment and play
  • Smooth drive engagement
  • Brake responsiveness and noises
  • Suspension comfort
  • Acceleration and pickup
Mileage (kilometrage) & odometer
  • Cross-check the kilometrage with the car’s age and service records
  • Be cautious of tampered odometers
Accident or Flood Damage
  • Look for mismatched paint and welding marks
  • Rust in odd places like under carpet or seats
  • Musty smells or water lines inside
Vehicle History
Optional but wise
  • Mechanic inspection: Have a trusted mechanic evaluate the car
  • Check recall history: Ensure all recalls have been addressed
  • Spare key & tools: Ask about duplicate keys, original tools and spare tyre
Special points for electrical vehicles (EVs)
Battery Health: This is the most critical aspect of an electric car. EV batteries degrade over time, losing capacity and range. Ask for a detailed battery health report and check the battery’s condition from the car’s onboard computer.
Usage: Higher kilometrage can indicate more wear and tear. Check the car’s history and previous usage patterns (from the car’s onboard computer). Frequent rapid charging can also affect battery health.
Service history and updates: Ensure the car has been regularly serviced and maintained and look for records of battery health checks, software updates and any repairs. Some EVs require periodic software updates to maintain optimal performance and safety features
Charging System: Check the condition of the charging port and type and condition of cables supplied.  Ensure the car can be easily charged at home or at public charging stations
Warranty: Verify if the car is still under warranty, especially for the battery and electric components.
Range and Efficiency: Check the car’s range and percentage charge.  Compare it with the manufacturer’s specifications to ensure it meets your needs.
Insurance: Get an estimate for insurance costs from your insurer.
Battery Rental: Be aware that some models, particularly the Renault Zoe, launched with the battery rented for a monthly fee. This made the original purchase cost cheaper, and subsequent pre-owned price cheaper, but the new buyer will still have to pay the monthly rental costs  Look for ‘Achat intégral’ on any sales information to avoid this and which will mean the purchase is outright and doesn’t contain this battery rental element.
Buying a used EV can be a smart move, but it’s essential to do your homework and take the time to find the right one for you.