13:37 24-05-2026

Electric Cars Cheaper in Europe but Real-World Range Issues Persist

Average EV price dropped €1,800 in 2025. Yet many owners never achieve advertised range. Hyundai tops satisfaction, Peugeot lags. Learn about the gap between lab and real-world range.

Electric cars in Europe have finally started to get cheaper, but buyers have another pain point: real-world range. After several years of rising prices, the average EV dropped by about €1,800 in 2025 to €42,700—roughly $50,100 or 3.56 million rubles.

The main reason isn't a miraculous drop in battery costs; it's stricter CO2 regulations. Manufacturers need to sell more electric vehicles to meet fleet average emissions, so they're introducing more affordable models. The B segment has seen the biggest cuts: prices fell 13% overall, and by as much as €4,600 in some cases. The Citroën e-C3 and Renault 5 lead this wave.

Once buyers drive off the lot, expectations often clash with reality. A Radar study of over 3,000 EV owners found that 52% never achieved the advertised range. Still, 73% are satisfied with real-world range—it covers daily commutes, and fast charging handles longer trips.

The real problem isn't the number of kilometers; it's how the range is explained. While 77% of buyers were warned that range can vary, 40% weren't told by how much. In winter, cruising at 120 km/h with the heater or A/C on, the official number evaporates quickly. Plus, lab tests run from 100% to 0%, but most owners charge to 80% and don't fully drain the battery.

Hyundai tops satisfaction: 89% of owners are happy, and 45% even exceed the official range. Kia and Tesla each score 85%. Peugeot, however, is a weak point: only 44% satisfied, and 16% of its owners would choose a petrol or diesel car today.

EVs are becoming more accessible, but price alone won't make them mainstream. Buyers need honest range estimates for city, highway, winter, and summer. Otherwise, the showroom discount will end with the first disappointment on the autobahn.