A new study by French charging infrastructure association ChargeFrance, in collaboration with consulting firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG), indicates that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) could render hybrid and range extender vehicles obsolete in Europe by 2035, supporting the European Union’s zero-emission vehicle targets.
The study, which draws on market surveys, total cost of ownership (TCO) analyses, and CO2 lifecycle emissions, found that BEVs outperform plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) in both cost and environmental impact. “BEVs can achieve net-zero emissions targets even for large family cars, and their popularity is growing as Europe’s energy mix becomes decarbonised,” the report states. It further notes that BEVs cost the average driver €640 to €1,600 less per year than a comparable PHEV.
ChargeFrance highlighted four obstacles to broader EV adoption—charging time, range, residual value, and cost—and concluded that these issues are rapidly diminishing. For instance, BEVs introduced in 2024 offer an average range of 544 kilometres (WLTP), surpassing consumer expectations of 460 kilometres, while charging times are trending toward 20–30 minutes for mainstream models. Residual value differences between BEVs and combustion engines are expected to shrink to three percentage points by 2035.
The study also compared CO2 emissions over the lifecycle of vehicles, finding that a BEV produces only half the emissions of a PHEV for private users and less than a third when used as a company car. Range extender vehicles, which combine a small battery with a combustion engine generator, were found to be less efficient and emit more CO2 than pure BEVs, even under optimistic scenarios.
ChargeFrance urged EU policymakers to maintain stringent CO2 targets for 2035, noting that weakening the mandate could undermine consumer confidence in electric mobility. “The questioning of whether BEVs are a sustainable long-term solution is causing uncertainty and could undermine consumer confidence,” the study said. The association also recommended continued purchase incentives, lower public charging costs, and transparent TCO information to encourage adoption.
The findings come amid debate within the European automotive industry, with some executives calling for flexible rules that allow plug-in hybrids and range extenders. The study asserts that BEVs not only offer clear environmental benefits but could also generate up to 100,000 jobs in European battery manufacturing and 70,000 in charging infrastructure development.