2023-11-08 19:59:14
Does an electric car mean something to you? Because apparently, for a good half of French people, it’s a bit of gibberish. And yet, in 2035, we will have to say goodbye to purchasing cars that run on fuel like today.
Citroën ë-C3 // Source: Citroën
The Cetelem Automobile Observatory 2024 has highlighted a surprising reality: the transition to electric car is far from being clear to everyone. Obviously, it doesn’t seem surprising, but some of the numbers are surprising. The study, which spanned 16 countries, reveals that many French people are unaware of a major change on the horizon: in 2035, say goodbye to the sale of new vehicles running on gasoline. or diesel.
More concretely, half of French people do not know that in 2035, buying a car that runs on gasoline or diesel will be ancient history. This lack of knowledge is all the more surprising since France, within the European Union, is subject to the same regulations which provide for a halt to sales of new thermal vehicles to combat air pollution.
Source: Cetelem Automobile Observatory 2024
The French seem less informed than their Italian, Spanish, Austrian and German neighbors, where knowledge of this regulation is apparently more widespread. So, what’s wrong? We are looking into the reasons for this great vagueness.
Lack of knowledge, an obstacle to the energy transition
It seems that several factors are involved. On the one hand, fake news and disinformation play a significant role. Between rumors and erroneous information circulating on social networks and in certain media circles, it is difficult for the general public to disentangle fact from fiction.
In addition, lobbying from the automobile industry and the oil sectors also contributes to muddying the waters. These actors often have considerable weight and can influence public perception, or even delay collective awareness in favor of electric cars.
Europeans and regulations: a contrasting picture
It’s a fact: the French are less aware of these regulations than their neighbors. Information does not seem to circulate with the same fluidity as in Italy, Spain or Germany. It is therefore essential to question the way in which information is transmitted to the public. Is it a problem of access to information or rather a lack of interest in environmental subjects? The question needs to be asked.
Furthermore, the study reveals that the population is not only poorly informed, it is also skeptical. 7 out of 10 drivers find that the timetable for transition to electric car is too tight. This can be explained by the scale of the upcoming changes, which require significant adjustments, both individually and collectively.
There is also distrust regarding the real effectiveness of these measures to combat pollution. 57% of those questioned doubt that banning thermal vehicles is the miracle solution. These results suggest that emphasis must be placed not only on information, but also on education around the ecological benefits of electric cars.
The study points to a glaring disparity which is due to varied national policies, government aid, and media coverage which is far from uniform. The role of the media is therefore crucial: they must offer clear, precise and verified information to prepare citizens for this great transition. And, as you can imagine, it is far from over.
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