The French are attached to their cars and skeptical about electric vehicles

“Sustainable” mobility and public transportation are increasingly used by the French, but cars remain very popular. This is revealed by a recent OpinionWay study conducted at the request of Sofinscope.

According to the survey, the car remains the most used means of transportation by the French daily (71% including carpooling, +1 point compared to 2020). Followed by walking (44%, +6 points), biking (14%, +3 points), metro / RER (14%, +4 points), and bus (12%, +4 points). Tramway and train are at 8% and 7% respectively, motorized two-wheelers at 3%. Taxis and micro-mobility options such as electric scooters, rollers, or skateboards are just behind, at 2%.

More generally, 73% of the French use an individual motor vehicle for their daily trips (+1 point). Public transportation is gaining ground (28%, +8 points), as is the family of bicycles, scooters, and other “soft” means of transport (16%, +4 points).

What about the financial aspect?

The choice of transportation method is primarily determined by practicality (45%). 39% of the French believe they have no alternatives that could divert them from their initial choice.

Additionally, 31% of respondents indicate that cost is also a key factor in their decision. The average transportation budget is currently €174, an increase of €45 compared to 2020. In this context, 65% plan to use their cars less to reduce fuel expenses.

The rise in fuel prices logically benefits electric and hybrid cars. However, the survey reveals that the French are not entirely convinced of the ecological virtues of electric cars. While 1 in 5 respondents consider purchasing an electric or hybrid model in the next 12 months, 73% believe that electric cars are not a truly good alternative.

The full study can be found at this link.

Also read: Summer Sales 2022: 5 electric bikes at discount prices