Pierre's eco-friendly lifestyle

Pierre, a resident of southern Belgium, has long advocated for eco-conscious living, guided by his ecological spirit. He has been an early adopter of electric vehicles, starting with a Nissan Leaf 24 kWh in 2011 and eventually settling on the Hyundai Ioniq 38 sedan. His family, including his ex-wife Gene, younger daughter Isabelle, and granddaughters Elise and Célestine, all drive this model.

Sustainable habits beyond vehicles

Pierre's efforts to reduce environmental impact extend beyond his vehicles. During his teaching career, he cycled 80,000 km, earning a 12,000 euro cycling allowance that he used to buy his first electric car in 2020. He also uses a rainwater tank, eats very little meat, uses an electric lawnmower, and has a heat pump and 36 solar panels producing 8,000 kWh of electricity per year, half of which powers his electric car.

Electric vehicle journey and influences

Pierre's transition to electric vehicles was influenced by a Tesla owner's statement that people drive electric cars either for ecological reasons or because they know how to count. As a cost-conscious and eco-conscious person, he identified with this idea. He previously drove a Volkswagen Passat TDI converted to rapeseed oil and discovered the electric car community through Automobile Propre and its forum.

Family experiences with electric cars

Isabelle, Pierre's younger daughter, initially had a negative experience with an electric car but followed her father's advice and purchased a Hyundai Ioniq 28 in 2021. She found the car elegant and versatile but noted the autonomy was still tight for her active lifestyle. In 2024, Pierre bought an Ioniq 38, which he later sold to Isabelle, who found the absence of a heated steering wheel a drawback.

Family members' perspectives

Gene, Pierre's ex-wife, appreciates the Ioniq 38 for its 400 km autonomy, which has reduced her stress. Elise, 20, prefers the Ioniq for its comfort and quietness, though she finds the autonomy stressful. Célestine, 18, likes the car's appearance and functionality but mentions reduced autonomy and lack of standardization for recharging as drawbacks.

Economic and practical benefits

Pierre's electric vehicle consumption is highly economical, with a rate of 10.5 kWh/100 km in hypermiler mode over 8,000 km. Since 2020, he has driven 200,000 km without visiting a gas station, saving about 20,000 euros. He charges his car at home using a P17 plug and earns 10,000 euros per year as a social taxi. He plans to replace his Ioniq 38 with another efficient electric car and has a red Audi A2 in his garage that he would like to electrify.