Motorways limited to 120 km/h: good news for electric cars?

In his speech on July 14, the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, confirmed that his government was working on the development of an “energy sobriety plan”. Its goal ? Reduce energy consumption by 10% compared to 2019, within two years. To achieve this, several avenues are being considered, including one that could be controversial: lowering the maximum speed allowed on the highway to 120 km/h. If this measure were to be adopted, drivers of electric cars could be less affected, or even benefit. Explanations.

Reducing speed means reducing fuel consumption

Is reducing the average speed a way to limit consumption? Above all, if it decreases, is it consistent or anecdotal? Whether you own an electric car, a diesel or a gasoline engine, the answer to both questions is yes. On thermal engines, let us quote for example our colleagues from Caradisiac, who had conducted an experiment two years ago on this subject. Their conclusion was then clear: “driving at 120 km/h instead of 130 causes a loss of approximately 4 minutes per 100 km, the gain in consumption on a Renault Mégane-type compact diesel sedan amounts to 14% “.

And for the electric car? The conclusion is equivalent. This time, it is our own figures that we will refer to. Regardless of the electric car used, consumption increases as the speed increases. On the highway, the tipping point is 110 km/h. The more we exceed it, the more consumption explodes. For example: during our autonomy test on the MG5, the “cheap” electric station wagon, we observed an average consumption of 19 kWh/100 km while driving between 110 and 120 km/h. However, at 130 km/h, this consumption reaches 24 kWh/100 km. The difference between the two values ​​is significant. On the MG5, it translates into a range gain of more than 60 km.

Obviously, all electric vehicles will not display the same consumption or autonomy values, but all without exception see their kWh melt like snow in the sun as they approach 130 km/h. Consequently, lowering the speed to 120 km/h on the motorway should make it possible to increase the average autonomy of electric cars on these expressways.

More range, fewer charges

More range on the highway also means fewer stops at fast charging stations. However, it is indeed on the Ionity, Fastned or TotalEnergies stations that the price per kWh is the highest. Here again, the equation is simple: fewer stops at expensive terminals means more savings in the end for the owner of an electric car.

Will the 120 km/h limit on the motorway be adopted?

It now remains to be seen whether the energy sobriety plan will include a “lower speed on motorways” component. Indeed, the precedent of the 80 km/h limit on national roads and the controversies that followed could scald the government. Asked about the question, Emmanuel Macron kicked into touch by admitting to prefer ” let the debate mature in society “. It should also be remembered that the reduction in speed on the motorways (to 110 km/h this time) was one of the proposals formulated by the citizens’ convention for the Climate, in 2020. Ultimately, if the measure seems to have all the good ecological sense, it requires a certain political courage to be adopted. But if it were to be, owners of electric vehicles would not be the most to be pitied.

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