In the American streets, thermal cars are aging without noise, accumulating kilometers over the years while their electric cousins change hands at a frantic pace. The contrast intrigues in a country where the longevity of petrol vehicles reaches peaks, while the lifespan of electric cars is struggling to exceed three years. This discrepancy reveals less a difference in reliability than a change in uses, where the speed of technological cycles redefines the very concept of possession.
This loyalty to petrol or diesel cars is notably linked to their versatility, especially for long journeys. Even households equipped with an electric vehicle often keep a thermal car as a rescue solution. This trend is reinforced by the rise in prices, which encourages households to repel the purchase of a new vehicle. The average age of the park today reaches a record level, a direct consequence of this economic prudence.
The lifespan of electric cars, reflection of a constantly evolving market
In striking contrast, electric cars remain only for a short time in the hands of their owners. The study reveals an average duration of possession of only 3.6 years. This rapid rotation does not reflect technical obsolescence, but rather a rapid changing market, where technological new features are linked at high speed. Each year, more efficient, more autonomous or more connected models replace the previous ones, encouraging drivers to change more often.
This phenomenon mainly affects easier clientele, often attracted by brands innovations like Tesla or Byd. This category of consumers adopts behaviors close to those observed in the field of smartphones, where the novelty premises. From an industrial point of view, this acceleration of the replacement cycle, however, weakens the sustainability efforts displayed by the electricity sector.
Towards a new automotive consumption standard?
The gap between the two types of motorization is not only due to technical considerations. It reflects a deeper evolution of the relationship that users have with their vehicle. The thermal car tends to become a lasting good, which is repaired and preserved. Conversely, the electric, perceived as more technological, is integrated into a faster and more fluid consumption logic.
The figures for S&P Global illustrate this duality. Almost 6.6% of electric cars recorded between 2013 and 2022 have already left the roads, compared to 5.2% for thermal models over the same period. The differential may seem thin, but it reflects a very distinct dynamic. By extending the lifespan of thermal cars, the drivers participate in a form of involuntary sobriety. By renewing their electric vehicles at a high pace, on the contrary, they favor innovation in stability.
This opposition could evolve in the years to come. As the electric market matures, purchase behavior could stabilize, lengthening the average duration of possession. For the moment, cohabitation between two logics remains marked. One favors the resistance of the past, the other the attraction of the future.
With an unwavering passion for local news, Christopher leads our editorial team with integrity and dedication. With over 20 years’ experience, he is the backbone of Wouldsayso, ensuring that we stay true to our mission to inform.
