The world of automobiles is at a decisive turning point. Electric vehicles, once considered a pragmatic alternative to thermal models, now seem to be entering a performance spiral. Is excess slipping away from us?

A rise in horsepower without limits

In the past, a French family sedan was satisfied with 40 to 60 horsepower for its daily journeys. In 2025, the average of new vehicles sold in France exceeds 210 horsepower. A true leap forward that raises crucial questions about road safety and infrastructure management.

• 💡 1950s : 40-60 horsepower
• 🚗 2010s : 60-100 horsepower (e.g., Renault Clio)
• ⚡ 2025 : 150-200 horsepower (electric city cars)

This frenzied mechanical evolution, driven by electric cars, is redefining the standards of what a vehicle can offer. A simple electric city car, such as the new Renault R5 E-Tech, now competes in power with sports cars of yesteryear. This change profoundly questions our relationship with speed and power.

Power comparison: thermal vs. electric

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Type of vehicle	Thermal power (hp)	Electric power (hp)
City cars	60-90	120-200
Compacts	90-140	150-300
SUVs	130-250	200-600
Premium sedans	200-400	300-1000+

At first glance, this increase in power seems enticing. However, it poses several challenges: are our roads ready to accommodate vehicles capable of such performance? Are drivers trained to handle power previously reserved for an elite?

When the superfluous becomes the norm

In this relentless quest for power, the marketing strategy of manufacturers, such as Tesla, can prove deceptive. The ease of access to very powerful electric engines, without the mechanical constraints of thermal engines, raises concerns about safety. An unexpected consequence is observed; vehicles with astonishing performance, but used by ordinary drivers without experience.

Figures that speak:

The study by NGC-Data highlights an 87% increase in the power of electric cars between 2017 and 2025. The meteoric rise of the last decade has led some models, like the BMW i4, to prioritize energy efficiency over mere raw performance.

In contrast, Chinese models, such as the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra with its 1,548 horsepower, exacerbate this trend, further questioning the capabilities of our road infrastructures.

The emergence of efficiency as a performance criterion

This avalanche of power is not without energy consequences. The more powerful a vehicle is, the greater its energy needs increase exponentially. The concept of efficiency thus becomes crucial in this era where waiting times at charging stations remain a major issue.

• 🔋 Average consumption :
• 🚗 150 hp vehicle: 15-18 kWh/100 km
• ⚡ 300 hp vehicle: 20-25 kWh/100 km
• 🔥 500+ hp vehicle: 25-35 kWh/100 km

Models like the electric SUV from Peugeot illustrate this awareness: efficiency is now as important, if not more so, than raw power. Companies like Volkswagen and Audi are also exploring this new path, trying to find a balance between performance and consumption.

// Function to fetch electric car data from a free public APIconst fetchCarData = async () => { try { // API URL for electric cars (fictitious example) const apiUrl = 'https://api.example.com/electric-cars'; // API call const response = await fetch(apiUrl); const data = await response.json(); // JSON response // Loop through the received data to fill the table const carDataContainer = document.getElementById('car-data'); data.cars.forEach(car => { const row = document.createElement('tr'); row.innerHTML = ` ${car.model} ${car.range} ${car.power} ${car.chargeTime} ${car.price} `; carDataContainer.appendChild(row); }); } catch (error) { console.error('Error fetching data:', error); document.getElementById('car-data').innerHTML = ` Error retrieving data. `; }};// Call the function to fetch data when the page loadswindow.onload = fetchCarData;/*API URL: https://api.example.com/electric-carsExample JSON response:{ "cars": [ { "model": "Tesla Model 3", "range": 450, "power": 283, "chargeTime": 1.5, "price": 39900 }, { "model": "Nissan Leaf", "range": 360, "power": 147, "chargeTime": 8, "price": 29900 } ]}*/

The reality is that we can now acquire vehicles that exceed in power legendary sports models. The accessibility of such performance changes the rules of the game, but that said, it is not enough to guarantee a safer road.

Questions about our adaptation to excess

Manufacturers must navigate a complex landscape, balancing consumer demands for increasingly powerful cars and the responsibilities that come with it. Each new vehicle offering brings a tension between innovation and safety, a challenge that few seem ready to take on.

The repercussions of this increase in power prompt deep reflection: is it time to reevaluate our priorities concerning safety standards and driver training? The future of electric mobility will largely depend on our ability to balance enthusiasm and responsibility.

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