The vehicle market is experiencing a slowdown in Europe. In question, a democratization of the electric, which is experiencing continuous growth, but also an increase in oil prices necessary for the proper functioning of the hybrid. What if this technology was just a transition to an all-electric future?
Electric supplants hybrid
Just look at the sales figures to see that the electric is set to completely replace the hybrid in the years to come. After a year of phenomenal growth in 2021 (+63%), plug-in hybrid vehicles are slowing down for the first time in Europe (-8% in January 2022 compared to the previous year).
At the same time, 100% electric vehicles continued to appeal to consumers. With growth of 22% over the same period (compared to 2021), electric seems destined to become the new standard. But why, after a massive adoption of the technology, the hybrid is now shunned by Europeans?
The hybrid, transition technology?
If the hybrid is not yet dead, its future seems very dark. Firstly because the technology looks more like a spare wheel than a real revolution (embodied by electricity). The hybrid was a good way for manufacturers to reduce CO2 emissions and thus meet the requirements of European authorities.
But this technology is still partly based on fossil fuels. The hybrid is electric, of course, but it is also gasoline. And because of the soaring prices, consumers logically turn away from it, the higher purchase price amortizing less over time.
At the same time, the range of electric vehicles is expanding. The major manufacturers are multiplying the models and offering their iconic vehicles in a 100% electric version. We are thinking, for example, of the electric Renault R5 or the electric Megane. Well helped by the ecological bonus and trade-in offers, these models are finding an increasingly large audience.
Above all, the technical weaknesses of the first electric models tend to disappear. If the autonomy of certain models still represents a brake on the purchase, things are improving at breakneck speed. In addition, the network of charging stations now covers a large part of the territory. The opening of Tesla Superchargers to competing models is also another good news for potential buyers.
Put together, all these elements lead to a conclusion as cruel as it is realistic: yes, the rechargeable hybrid is doomed to disappear. The whole question now is to know when.
