Photo: Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Myths
Electric Cars: 6 Persistent Myths, Fact-Checked
August 31, 2026
By Hugo Beignon, Founder of ma-borne-electrique.com
Not enough charging stations, fragile batteries, charging as expensive as fuel: separating fact from fiction in France in 2026.
Electric cars still carry a fair share of misconceptions in France, some outdated, others only partly true. Here are six common claims, checked against the facts available in 2026.
Myth 1: there aren't enough charging stations in France
That used to be true a few years ago, much less so today. France crossed 200,000 public charging points as of July 31, 2026, spread across roughly 55,600 stations, already halfway to the 2030 target.
Myth 2: charging costs about as much as filling up with fuel
Not if you mostly charge at home. With an off-peak rate of 0.1589 euros per kWh as of August 2026, the cost per kilometer stays well below petrol or diesel. It's mainly fast charging on the road that narrows that gap.
Myth 3: the battery will wear out fast and be expensive to replace
Manufacturers typically warrant their batteries for around 8 years or 160,000km, and under normal use, batteries generally retain a large majority of their capacity well beyond that. A premature replacement remains rare, not the norm.
Myth 4: range collapses in winter and makes the car unusable
Cold weather does reduce range, through battery chemistry, cabin heating, and tire resistance, but it doesn't make the car unusable. Good preconditioning and route planning offset much of that loss, a topic we cover in more detail in our dedicated article on winter range.
Myth 5: electric cars catch fire more often
Available data and insurer studies generally don't show a higher fire frequency for electric cars compared to combustion vehicles. That said, a battery fire can behave differently and be harder to extinguish, which partly explains why this myth persists.
Myth 6: you can't charge at home if you live in a co-owned building
The 'droit à la prise' lets any co-owner or tenant install a charging point at their own expense on their parking space, without needing the general assembly's approval. We cover the full process in our guide to the right to charge in co-ownerships.
Frequently asked questions
Is it true there aren't enough charging stations in France?
No, that was true a few years ago, but France crossed 200,000 public charging points in July 2026.
Does charging cost as much as buying fuel?
No, not if you mostly charge at home: with an off-peak rate of 0.1589 euros per kWh, the cost per kilometer stays well below fuel.
Does an electric car's battery wear out quickly?
No, manufacturers typically warrant their batteries for around 8 years or 160,000km, and they retain a large majority of their capacity well beyond that.
Do electric cars catch fire more often than combustion cars?
Available data and insurer studies generally don't show a higher fire frequency, though a battery fire can behave differently and be harder to extinguish.
Want to find a charging station nearby? Check the charging map to plan your next trip.
