France’s charging network is ahead of consumer demand, according to the 2026 EV Index published by HERE Technologies and SBD Automotive. The study found a sharp contrast between drivers who already own an electric vehicle and those who have never used one: 47% of French EV owners rate public charging coverage near their home as good or very good, compared with just 22% of other motorists.

The report combines an infrastructure index covering 30 European countries and regions in the United States, India and Australia with a survey of 4,058 drivers across eight countries. The index assesses public chargers per kilometre of road, average charging power, the share of electric cars in the vehicle fleet and chargers per electric car.

Europe added 162,000 charging points between 2025 and 2026, an annual increase of 14%. Average charging power rose from 44 to 50 kW, although it remains below the 83 kW recorded in the United States. The report also highlights major differences between countries, with the share of electric vehicles ranging from less than 3% in some markets to 89% in Norway.

Norway and the Netherlands share the top position in the infrastructure index, followed by Belgium. Norway has one of the highest electric-car adoption rates, but ranks near the bottom for chargers per electric vehicle. The Netherlands has the densest charging network, although its average power is limited because much of its infrastructure predates the expansion of modern fast chargers.

Germany and the United Kingdom are classified as markets where infrastructure and purchase intentions are both strong. France, alongside the United States, falls into the category of countries where infrastructure is ahead of demand. Only 15% of French drivers who currently use combustion-engine cars see an electric vehicle as their next car, compared with 27% in Germany.

Cost perceptions are a major obstacle in France. Some 46% of French respondents believe that an electric car costs more to own than a combustion-engine vehicle, the highest proportion among the countries surveyed, against an eight-country average of 26%. Only 52% believe France will install enough chargers to keep pace with electric-car sales. In the United Kingdom, the figure is 79%.

French drivers are also particularly reluctant to consider Chinese brands: 57% say they would not consider one, the highest rejection rate in the survey. At the same time, electric-car registrations are rising. Figures from AAA Data cited in the report show that EVs accounted for 41% of new car registrations in France in October 2026, up from 24% a year earlier.

Experience tends to reduce concerns about electric cars. Across the eight surveyed countries, 68% of EV owners say charging has been better than expected, while 67% say the same about range. In total, 76% plan to buy another electric vehicle. However, public charging remains a source of frustration: finding a charger and worrying about running out of battery were each cited by 14% of owners as their main concern.

One in five owners has encountered a broken charger and been unable to charge, while 39% say this happens occasionally or more often. Furthermore, 54% have abandoned a journey because they feared they would not find a charger. The report suggests that frequent home charging may give owners a positive overall impression while leaving uncertainty around longer trips.

Interest in hybrid vehicles is also increasing. Some 28% of owners are considering a conventional or plug-in hybrid, or an extended-range electric vehicle, for their next car, up from 23% in 2025. This preference is especially pronounced in Italy and Spain, where the report identifies lower-powered charging networks.

Financial considerations now rank ahead of environmental concerns when drivers explain their interest in electric vehicles. Better value for money was the leading motivation, cited by 36% of respondents, followed by lower running costs at 34%. Environmental benefits ranked third at 33%, down seven percentage points from the previous year. Fuel prices remain influential: 70% said rising prices at the pump had increased their interest in electric cars, and half would remain more inclined to consider one even if fuel prices fell significantly.

Sources: Numerama.