When will we have a nice and affordable electric car?
This page is translated from the original post "À quand une voiture électrique sympa et pas chère ?" in French.

The democratization of electric vehicles remains a goal for many manufacturers, but designing a low-cost electric vehicle is a complex challenge.
Contrary to popular belief, it is not so much the electric technology of motors or batteries that is the cause, but rather the unavoidable costs of driver assistance systems and modern safety equipment.
Electric motors are technologically simple and less expensive to produce than internal combustion engines. As for batteries, their cost per kilowatt-hour has decreased significantly over the past ten years due to advancements in cell chemistry and the optimization of industrial processes. The price of battery powertrains already competes with that of thermal engines. However, these savings are not enough to offset the costs generated by other imperatives.
European safety regulations and consumer expectations play a central role in increasing costs. Today, even the most basic vehicles must integrate advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, or rearview cameras. These technologies rely on expensive sensors, powerful processors, and rigorous software development.
Moreover, requirements for passive safety – reinforced structures, multiple airbags, rigorous crash tests – add to the list of unavoidable expenses. These elements are essential to meet the strict standards imposed by regulatory bodies.
A complex electric equation
Producing a low-priced electric car thus involves difficult compromises. Reducing equipment or quality materials risks degrading the user experience and brand image. To date, few manufacturers have succeeded in this feat without significant public subsidies, as in China where subsidies facilitate the emergence of ultra-affordable models.
The era of popular vehicles like the Beetle, the Panda, the 4L, or the 2CV is now over. These iconic cars were accessible because they met very few safety standards, an unthinkable reality today. Reproducing equivalent models in the current context, where safety requirements and consumer expectations are high, is simply impossible.
If electric vehicles truly want to establish themselves as a universal solution, the industry will need to innovate to reduce these costs while respecting regulatory requirements and driver expectations. A challenge that is not insurmountable after all!
ALSO READ: Latest rumors on the low-cost Tesla
We also suggestthese articles:
Also read


