No, the outage in Spain does not prove that electric cars are useless!

The blackout that struck Spain on April 28, 2025, provided a new opportunity for critics of electric vehicles to shout victory.

The arguments are known and repetitive: no electricity, no charging, and a catastrophic scenario for all electric drivers. This reasoning, though appealing to its proponents, is based on a simplistic, even absurd, analysis.

Yes, a major power outage disrupts EV charging, just as a fuel shortage affects thermal vehicles. However, these exceptional situations should not be used to discredit either technology. During the last fuel crisis, long lines at gas stations spurred mocking comments from some electric advocates. Today, roles are reversed, but the core issue remains just as frustrating: a sterile quarrel that misses the point.

Resilience for infrastructure, not for users

What we should take away from these episodes is the need for better resilience of infrastructure, whether it be electrical grids or fuel supplies. Blaming electric or thermal car owners is an unnecessary distraction. The real challenge lies in the energy transition, which requires strengthening our production and distribution capacities, while integrating backup solutions to handle the unforeseen.

Finally, while debates about the vulnerabilities of mobility systems may seem legitimate, they often conceal another reality: individual responsibility. Whether driving an EV or a thermal vehicle, forgetting to recharge or refuel remains a personal mistake, not a proof of technological incompetence. Perhaps it is time to adopt a more humble stance in the face of these events.

Rather than seeking to discredit one mode of transportation in favor of another, why not acknowledge that these crises mainly reveal our own fragilities? Ultimately, a little less confrontation and a little more cooperation could greatly improve our exchanges and solutions.

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