February Auto Market Replace in France: Plugin EVs at 22.5% Share
February’s auto market in France marked a share of twenty-two.5% for plugin electrical autos (EVs), which is a decline from 26.3% in comparison with the earlier 12 months. Whereas battery electrical autos (BEVs) remained steady year-on-year, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) skilled a loss in market share. Total, the auto market quantity stood at 141,568 items, exhibiting little change from the earlier 12 months. The Citroen e-C3 emerged because the best-selling BEV for the month.
In February, the mixed share of electrical autos reached 22.5% in France, with BEVs accounting for 17.9% and PHEVs for 4.6%. This contrasts with final 12 months’s figures, which confirmed a mixed share of 26.3%, 18.1% for BEVs, and eight.2% for PHEVs.
The plugin car market is at the moment experiencing fluctuations as a result of a mid-February deadline for deliveries to qualify for the 2024 eco-bonus, which is predicted to lower considerably afterward. Moreover, the PHEV market is going through challenges as a result of a newly carried out weight tax that has been affecting this class since January 1, 2025, resulting in much less favorable year-on-year comparisons.
The influence of those various insurance policies will take time to unfold, and business observers count on a clearer image by the tip of Q2. Notably, the arrival of the brand new Tesla Mannequin Y—beforehand accounting for almost 10% of the French BEV market in 2024—shall be vital, alongside the anticipated improve in manufacturing for extra inexpensive BEVs such because the R5, e-C3, Inster, and Panda. New fashions just like the Citroen e-C3 Aircross and Renault 4 are additionally anticipated to enter the market quickly.
Typical powertrains are steadily being changed by mild-hybrid and hybrid electrical autos (HEVs), resulting in a steady decline in combustion-only autos. Diesel car volumes dropped from 10,221 to six,707 year-on-year, representing a 3rd lower, with diesel market share falling under 5% for the second consecutive month. Equally, petrol-only autos noticed a quantity lower from 48,075 to 35,110 year-on-year and have maintained a share of below 25% for the second time.
The Citroen e-C3 led the BEV gross sales in February, reaching 3,058 items, narrowly surpassing the Renault 5 at 3,034 items. The Tesla Mannequin Y secured the third place, with 1,738 items bought. The Citroen e-C3’s spectacular efficiency has secured its place among the many prime three BEVs in current months. Within the upcoming months, the Mannequin Y is predicted to achieve a stronger lead over the past month of every quarter, whereas the Renault 5 might usually outperform the Citroen e-C3 in different months.
Extra inexpensive fashions just like the Citroen e-C3 and Renault 5 profit extra from the eco-bonus based mostly on their pricing, and Citroen may not preserve these excessive volumes after the February deadline for the 2024 bonus. Analysts recommend that by mid-2025, the Renault and Tesla might commonly compete for the highest spot until Citroen considerably will increase manufacturing or adjusts costs.
Amongst different notable performances, the Volkswagen ID.3 achieved its highest gross sales since June at 822 items, and the Cupra Born rose to 679 items. The brand new Alpine A-290 broke into the highest 20 for the primary time with 480 items bought, reflecting a profitable debut regardless of potential results from the bonus deadline. The Kia EV3 has additionally proven indicators of elevated demand however stays simply outdoors the highest 20 for now.
Trying forward, the general stability of the flat year-on-year auto market is a optimistic consequence in comparison with typical downturns seen in current months. The broader French economic system has confronted sluggish progress, and numerous market components—together with modifications in PHEV taxes and eco-bonus deadlines—are contributing to the present market dynamics. Expectations for 2025 point out a BEV market share within the EU area ranging between 20% and 22%.
Regardless of present market challenges, legacy producers are nonetheless specializing in compliance quite than innovation, typically prioritizing BEV provide to areas with buy incentives, which can favor France compared to international locations with restricted or no incentives.
What are your ideas on the French EV market? Which fashions are you enthusiastic about or count on to achieve traction this 12 months? Be happy to affix the dialogue within the feedback part under.
