France’s New Vehicle Market Sees Surge in Plug-In Electric Car Sales
In a recent development, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and plug-in cars have accounted for an impressive 30% of France’s market share. This marks a significant increase in the adoption of electric vehicles in the country.
According to recent data, new passenger car registrations in France reached a total of 153,916 in September, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 9%. The year-to-date total stands at 1,286,247, showing a 16% increase compared to the previous year.
The French market has been on a continuous expansion trajectory throughout this year, making a remarkable recovery from the slump experienced between 2020 and 2022. The growing popularity of plug-in electric cars has played a significant role in the market’s rebound.
Notably, L’Avere-France reports that in the previous month, France saw a total of 45,872 new passenger plug-in electric car registrations, indicating a 35% increase compared to the same period last year. These registrations accounted for almost 30% of the market, setting a new record share for rechargeable cars. This represents a substantial leap from just over 24% recorded in the previous year.
The surge in plug-in electric car registrations is further highlighted by the fact that passenger all-electric car registrations surpassed 30,000, marking a 34% year-over-year increase. These registrations accounted for a record share of 19.6% of the market, equating to approximately one in every five new cars sold.
Moreover, plug-in hybrids have also experienced considerable growth, with a 35% year-over-year increase. With 15,699 units sold, plug-in hybrids comprised 10.2% of the market, approaching record-breaking levels.
The breakdown of plug-in car registrations in the previous month shows remarkable growth across various categories. Passenger battery electric vehicles (BEVs) recorded 30,173 registrations, reflecting a 34% increase and a 19.6% market share. Passenger PHEVs saw 15,699 registrations, representing a 35% surge and a 10.2% market share. In total, passenger plug-ins reached 45,872 registrations, a 35% increase and a significant market share of 29.8%. Light commercial BEVs also witnessed growth, with 2,297 new registrations and a 7% market share. Light commercial PHEVs, although showing a slight decrease of 6%, accounted for 33 registrations. All in all, total plug-in car registrations reached 48,202, marking a 35% increase.
Since the beginning of this year, France has registered over 341,000 new plug-in electric vehicles, of which over 321,000 are passenger plug-in cars. This represents a quarter of the market share, a notable achievement for electrification efforts in the country.
The year-to-date plug-in car registrations highlight the substantial growth in this sector. Passenger BEVs recorded a significant increase of 45%, with 204,616 registrations and a 15.9% market share. Passenger PHEVs witnessed a 31% surge, reaching 116,446 registrations and a 9.1% market share. The cumulative passenger plug-ins reached 321,062, reflecting a 40% increase and accounting for 25% of the market. Light commercial BEVs recorded an impressive growth rate of 111%, with 20,292 registrations. On the other hand, light commercial PHEVs saw a decrease of 38%, with 281 registrations. Overall, total plug-ins reached 341,635, marking a significant 43% increase.
The remarkable growth in plug-in electric vehicle registrations in France is a positive indicator for the move towards electrification. In 2022, France recorded more than 346,000 new plug-in electric vehicle registrations, with passenger cars comprising 21.5% of the market. The current trend suggests that 2023 will continue the positive momentum, potentially reaching around 450,000 registrations.
In terms of individual models, the Tesla Model Y emerged as the most registered BEV, with 5,035 new registrations in September. This exceptional result propelled the Model Y to become the fifth best-selling model in France during the same period. Surprisingly, small city cars like the Peugeot e-208, Dacia Spring, Fiat 500 electric, and MG4 dominated the best-selling lists. However, the reigning electric Renault, the Megane-e, failed to make it into the top five BEVs, indicating a shifting landscape since the Renault Zoe era.
The leading BEVs after the first nine months of the year are the Tesla Model Y, with 27,458 registrations, followed by the Dacia Spring, with 21,103 registrations, and the Peugeot e-208, with 19,074 registrations. The Fiat 500 electric closely trails behind with 17,441 registrations.
These figures highlight the growing prominence of plug-in electric cars in France, indicating a positive shift towards sustainable mobility.
In conclusion, France’s market share for plug-in electric cars and PHEVs has reached a notable 30%, showcasing a significant increase in adoption compared to previous years. The surge in plug-in car registrations demonstrates the country’s commitment to sustainable transportation and marks a promising step forward in the journey towards complete electrification.