The French electric vehicle (EV) market started 2025 with mixed results. While battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations grew, overall electrified vehicle sales declined due to a significant drop in plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) registrations. January 2025 saw 27,131 electrified vehicles registered, representing 19.4% market share, but a 15.4% decline compared to January 2024.
Key Figures from January 2025
- 22,157 BEVs registered (+3.2% YoY)
- 4,974 PHEVs registered (-53% YoY)
- Total electrified vehicle registrations: 27,131 (-15.4% YoY)
- Market share of electrified vehicles: 19.4% (down from 25% in January 2024)
The sharp drop in PHEV registrations is attributed to the removal of weight-based tax exemptions, which led to a rush of PHEV purchases in December 2024, distorting the January comparison.
BEVs Gaining Ground Despite Market Contraction
Despite a 6.2% overall decline in France's automotive market, BEVs increased their registrations by 3.2% YoY, reaching 17.4% market share—a slight improvement from 16.4% in January 2024. This stability is a positive sign, indicating resilience in the fully electric segment amid changing market conditions.
Conversely, PHEVs saw a steep decline, with registrations falling by more than half. This trend mirrors the regulatory tightening across Europe, where governments are shifting incentives towards full-electric solutions.
Best-Selling BEVs in January 2025
The Renault 5 emerged as the best-selling BEV of the month, reclaiming the top spot from Tesla. Seven out of the top ten BEV models were from French manufacturers, reinforcing the dominance of Renault Group and Stellantis in the domestic market.
| Rank | Model | Registrations |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1 | Renault 5 | 2,813 |
| 🥈 2 | Citroën ë-C3 | 1,548 |
| 🥉 3 | Renault Scenic E-Tech | 1,177 |
| 4 | Peugeot e-208 | 1,103 |
| 5 | Dacia Spring | 955 |
| 6 | Peugeot e-3008 | 762 |
| 7 | Renault Mégane E-Tech | 679 |
| 8 | Tesla Model Y | 640 |
| 9 | Mini Electric | 568 |
| 10 | Audi Q4 e-tron | 529 |
The Dacia Spring made a strong comeback, climbing to fifth place, while the Peugeot e-3008 and Renault Scenic E-Tech saw impressive growth, benefiting from new model launches.
Regional Performance
The Île-de-France region led EV adoption, accounting for 6,536 registrations in January. Other strong-performing regions included:
- Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (3,687 registrations)
- Occitanie (2,483 registrations)
- Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (2,355 registrations)
These figures highlight that France’s electrification efforts are not only focused on urban areas but are also extending to other regions.
Outlook for 2025: A Year of Regulatory Adjustments
2025 will be a pivotal year for France's EV market, as stricter EU fleet-wide CO₂ targets push automakers toward greater EV production. The French automotive industry lobby group (PFA) estimates that BEVs need to reach close to 22% market share to comply with upcoming regulations.
With affordable new models such as the Renault 5 and Citroën ë-C3 ramping up production, France is expected to gradually increase its EV penetration throughout the year. However, challenges remain, particularly in ensuring continued infrastructure expansion and consumer incentives.
Conclusion
France’s January 2025 EV market performance reflects both progress and obstacles. While BEV adoption continues to grow, the removal of incentives for PHEVs has significantly impacted overall electrified vehicle sales. The rise of French-made EVs, such as the Renault 5, Citroën ë-C3, and Peugeot e-3008, highlights domestic manufacturers' strong positioning in the evolving market.
As the industry navigates new tax policies and regulatory shifts, all eyes will be on whether France can maintain its momentum and achieve its ambitious 2030 electrification targets.
Sources:
- Avere-France, AAA Data, PFA
Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of the European Commission.
