France: Electric cars three times cheaper to operate than gasoline cars
In short:
Market turmoil has confirmed BEV’s cost advantage quickly
Gas car drivers in France now pay almost three times more per month for fuel than owners of electric vehicles, according to Roole Data analysis
The monthly fuel cost for an average gas car driver rose along the Seine from 112 euros in January to 137 euros in June
During the same period, BEV owners paid roughly the same amount for energy, around 46 euros per month
Drivers in France know how to do the math, which explains the rise in electric vehicle sales
Electric vehicles accounted for 38% of new registrations in France in August, according to AAA Data
France: calculation matters
When gasoline prices in France rose again above 2 euros per liter, and the average price of diesel reached 2.261 euros per liter a few days ago, drivers began to feel the harsh effects of global tensions in the oil market. According to Roole Data – the analytics arm of France’s automobile club Roole – the monthly fuel expenses for an average gasoline car driver increased from 112 euros in January to 137 euros in June, a rise of 25 euros (which is over 100 zł). During the same period, electric vehicle owners paid almost the same amount for energy, around 46 euros per month.
The difference is therefore striking. In June, the average gasoline car driver spent 91 euros more than an electric vehicle user. And that’s not all—according to Roole Data, the gap was also significant in 2025 but smaller (119 euros per month for a gasoline car compared to 45 euros for an electric one). Rising fuel prices only deepened this gap.
The gap keeps growing
Roole Data emphasizes that its calculations are based on public data regarding vehicle usage as well as fuel and energy prices. This is important because it shows that this isn’t a theoretical analysis but rather a reflection of real drivers’ habits and costs. As the organization explains, “the difference in operating costs keeps rising, and drivers are increasingly recognizing the economic advantage of electric vehicles.”
The high costs don’t apply only to gasoline. Diesel drivers also saw an increase — their monthly bills rose from 98 to 119 euros, while owners of non-plug-in hybrids paid an average of 111 euros in June, 20 euros more than at the start of the year. Only plug-in hybrids remained below 100 euros per month, although — as Roole Data notes — the savings depend on regular charging.
Government support is not insignificant
At the same time, the new car market in France is changing significantly. According to AAA Data, electric vehicles accounted for 38 percent of new registrations in August, becoming the most popular type of vehicle in the country for the first time. This is due to both rising fuel prices and new government incentives. Starting September 1, French households can receive support when purchasing a used electric car (up to 2,360 euros under the Energy Savings Certificate program).
Recall that rising fuel prices are not due to shortages but rather to tensions in the global market. As Philippe Casbas, president of the industry organization Ufip Energies et Mobilités, told “Franceinfo,” “We don’t have a problem with fuel availability; we have a problem with prices.” Casbas also warned that if the situation in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz worsens, prices could rise even further.
Conclusions
All indications suggest that in France, the economics of daily driving are starting to outweigh traditional habits. With fuel costing over 2 euros per liter and monthly bills for gasoline car drivers rising month after month, the advantage of electric cars is the result of straightforward calculations.
Oskar Włostowski