Testimony – At 73, Gérard switches to electric: “If I don’t do it now, when will I?”
After using several rechargeable hybrid cars from Peugeot and Mercedes, 73-year-old Gérard, who used to work as a pharmacy technician, switched to an electric vehicle. However, it wasn’t for environmental or economic reasons. He explains his decision to us.
Electric Driving
With electric vehicles, Gérard didn’t think, “I have to give it a try and stick with it.” His approach is much more flexible: “I’ve always been passionate about cars. When I started to get interested in electric vehicles, fuel prices hadn’t yet risen. I like novelty and am tech-savvy. What guided me was the desire to keep up with my time, a kind of completely healthy curiosity. At my age, if I don’t do it now, when will I?”
Our reader didn’t switch to an EV right away: “I first had a few rechargeable hybrid cars, which gave me a good feel for driving in EV mode. When I decided to go electric, I thought that if it didn’t work well for me, I’d return to a conventional car. No one in my family or among my friends drives an EV; I’m the first. However, in my building, there’s a young couple with a child who owns an electric car. I asked them about it, especially regarding charging.”
This conversation sparked an idea in me: “If an electric car is suitable for a young family, then it would be even more appropriate for me as a retiree. Out of curiosity, I tried several models at auto shows in Bordeaux. I saw some interesting options at Kia, but wasn’t convinced by them; Teslas aren’t my thing. I also came across the Alpine A290. I tried other electric vehicles at dealerships as well. One feature that bothers me if it’s not good is the adaptive cruise control. For example, I find it unpleasant at Peugeot.”
Very comfortable range
Gérard wasn’t really hesitant among several models: “I first looked at how far my budget could take me. It went up to the Mercedes CLA, but not beyond that. For my first electric car, the range advertised for this model gave me some peace of mind. At first, I was a bit worried about finding charging stations near my home. I received my unit in the 250+ version in October 2025. It has only about 7,000 km on it — I’m not one to drive a lot.”
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This electric sedan is equipped with an engine delivering 200 kW (272 hp) of power and 335 Nm of torque. It is powered by an NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) battery with an available energy capacity of 85 kWh. Thanks to its 800 V architecture, the DC charging current can reach up to 320 kW, allowing it to regain approximately 325 km of range in just over ten minutes. With this highly impressive specification, it is possible to achieve up to 792 km of range according to the WLTP mixed cycle.
The figures surrounding the Mercedes CLA 250+ are reassuring: “I think I can get at least 500 km with a fully charged battery. However, I would recharge before traveling that distance. Depending on the availability of charging stations, I can get about 30-35% more energy into the battery. Range is the only metric that interests me. Like with my previous internal combustion and plug-in hybrid vehicles, I don’t pay attention to fuel consumption, as I know the CLA handles long trips very well.”
Uses
Gérard’s electric Mercedes has not yet been used for long distances: “I mainly drive around Bordeaux, for example for local trips like going to races, exploring the surrounding villages, and visiting my relatives. A large part of my family lives in this region. Additionally, I take care of an elderly person in my circle. That’s also why I don’t travel too far. So no vacations—my budget goes into the car instead: that’s how I treat myself.”
Our reader still uses his electric sedan to travel up to 200 or even 300 kilometers from home: “The farthest I’ve gone with this car is to Biarritz and Châtellerault from Bordeaux. Since I’m 50-60 minutes away from the beach, I meet up with retired friends there once or twice a week for days that feel a bit like vacation. With such usage, my Mercedes CLA is mainly charged at home, using a 7 kW charger. As a precaution, I’ve also tried charging outdoors, sometimes near my home.”
This model is compatible with the Plug & Charge feature: “It’s simple—I park, plug in the car, no need to identify myself manually or stay nearby. I go to the bathroom, come back, and can already unplug and leave. It’s the car’s scheduler that tells me where to stop to recharge. Thanks to these experiences, I know I can travel on electric vehicles with my eyes closed. Once, at a charging station, I was able to talk for fifteen minutes with another CLA user. We were full of praise for the qualities of our cars.”
“I enjoy watching her use it.”
In his words, it’s clear that Gérard is very satisfied with his car and doesn’t hesitate to explore and utilize all its features: “I really appreciate everything about it. It’s comfortable, pleasant to drive, and its technology is amazing. I find it modern, perfectly suited to our times. When there’s a vintage car show near my home, I go to it. But that doesn’t stop me from saying, in fact the opposite: ‘What a pleasure it is to drive an electric car!’”
Among the points highlighted by our reader is the MBUX multimedia system, which includes voice commands: “With this, you can ask for almost anything you want. For example, finding something, going to a certain place, opening the windows, adjusting the heating temperature, etc. It’s a female voice that responds to me. People prefer physical buttons, but it’s much simpler to use voice commands. Too often, drivers aren’t curious enough to give them a try.”
Another discovery: “The Mercedes can park itself. It identifies possible parking spots. By pressing a button, I can start the automatic parking process. From there, it handles all the maneuvers on its own—it’s amazing. I enjoy watching it do it. Every time, I think I would have done it differently, but in the end, I realize it does it better than me. I got involved with computers and the Internet very early on, which is why new technologies interest me and excite me. I’m eager to learn and never get lost.”
Satisfied with his dealer
Gérard is proud of his Mercedes CLA: “I was the first in Bordeaux to have it in Aqua Mint color. That way, it was obvious it was a brand new model, and people would turn to look at it as it passed by. With its new features and automatic regenerative braking, its adaptive cruise control is amazing. It doesn’t disconnect after a stop—the vehicle resumes driving when traffic moves again ahead of it. However, there are issues with recognizing road signs, but these are mostly due to poor organization of the traffic signals in that area.”
Our reader is also satisfied with his dealer: “Everything is positive, and I’m really happy about it. I’m fortunate to have very good relationships with the Mercedes dealer in Bordeaux. The reception, communication, and everything else goes smoothly with them. They gave me advice on using my electric car and charging it. As a precaution, since we can’t know the resale value of such a car in a few years, and to help me get used to driving an electric vehicle daily, they advised me to consider leasing it.”
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The monthly lease payments for the LOA are 840 euros: “I put down a deposit of 6,000 euros as the first payment. With 15,000 kilometers per year, I can use this car for 37 months. However, I feel it lacks a sunroof, which I really appreciate in the city. I don’t understand why they are so rare on electric vehicles. Is it to avoid increasing the vehicle’s weight, which could negatively affect range? Out of curiosity, I’m going to check out the Lexus ES that comes with this feature. I know this brand because I’ve owned some of its models before.”
At Mercedes, Gérard has already noticed a model that could succeed the CLA: “I continue to pay attention to what’s available. The Mercedes GLC might take its place. I’ll soon take advantage of an open house day to test it and see how the rear steering wheels perform. Since it gets more promotional attention, this model seems financially more attractive than the Mercedes GLA. I find that electric cars are often family-oriented models. We do have the MG Cyberster convertible, but hardly any coupes. We’re losing out a bit on that type of vehicle.”
Our reader noted: “There are far more electric cars than people think. It’s because of models that aren’t immediately recognizable as such. Sometimes you need to look closely to realize they’re electric vehicles. Chinese cars are already here, and we’ll see new ones at this year’s Auto Show. At their booths, the salespeople don’t speak much French, in my opinion.”
The electric vehicle enthusiast says, “It’s possible that I can set an example for those around me. Maybe not right away, certainly not among retirees who are rarely reckless, nor among young people who often don’t have the budget and drive mostly government vehicles. But already people in my neighborhood are asking me questions. Even though we live in an Internet society, nothing prevents us from seeking opinions from users. I recommend choosing a model with a planner that helps locate charging stations—it’s safe and very convenient for new users.”
Automobile Propre and I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Gérard for his excellent hospitality, responsiveness, and valuable insights shared after we asked our readers for their experiences.
For your reference, any offensive comments directed at our interviewees, their lives, choices, and/or ideas will be removed. Thank you for your understanding.
Author’s Note
This isn’t the first time a reader has mentioned switching to electric vehicles because of their interest in new technologies. It’s always very positive, as it shows that when one thinks outside conventional constraints, electric vehicles can also appear attractive. This leads to a more flexible and tolerant attitude toward those who have made different choices. It truly sets an example, especially among drivers who are highly receptive to such openness.
Our device highlights voice commands. On my old Kia e-Soul, I really appreciated how it worked—the system was highly efficient and could accurately interpret addresses, whether you mentioned the city first, the street name, or the number. I even tried, just to amuse my passenger and not knowing it would work, saying, “Take us to the best pizzeria around!” And we weren’t disappointed! It’s very convenient for asking for directions to a destination without having to stop or perform risky manipulations on the screen or any other interface. I miss it now with the electric vehicle I use, even though it’s from the same brand and model year.
There are indeed quite a few electric vehicles that we can’t easily identify around us. For this reason, I stopped counting those I encounter or that are going in the same direction as me a long time ago. It’s easier to count the older ones.
Philippe SCHWOERER