April 2025 saw France’s battery electric vehicle (BEV) market continue its steady expansion, with BEVs reaching 18.4% market share, up from 16.9% in April 2024. Plugin hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) accounted for 6.9%, bringing total plugin share to 25.3% of the overall market. Despite a broader 6% decline in total new vehicle registrations year-on-year, BEVs remain a clear growth segment in France’s evolving auto landscape.

BEV Market Resilience Amid Policy Adjustments

The April results reflect a market in transition, shaped by a mix of regulatory changes and product-driven momentum:

• The eco-bonus for BEVs was reduced from €7,000 to €4,000 as of January 2025. Despite this, demand for fully electric models continues to grow.
• PHEV demand has been dampened by the withdrawal of previous tax exemptions, contributing to their steady decline from a peak share of nearly 10% in 2023.
• The return of the popular Social Leasing scheme in a more limited form is expected in September 2025, possibly delaying purchases by some cost-sensitive consumers.
• The tightening of CO₂-based vehicle taxes is accelerating the shift from combustion engines to electrified options. Vehicles emitting more than 193 g/km are now subject to penalties up to €70,000.
• Recent proposals at the EU level to relax 2025 emissions targets could reduce short-term compliance pressure, though this remains under negotiation.

BEV Leaders in April 2025

The Renault 5 secured the top spot in BEV registrations for the fourth time in six months, solidifying its role as a front-runner in France’s electric transition. It was followed by its larger sibling, the Renault Scenic, and the Citroën e-C3, highlighting growing consumer acceptance of compact, affordable BEVs.

Other notable performers:

• Kia EV3 climbed to 10th place with 551 units, a record for the model in France.
• Skoda Elroq entered the top 20 for the first time, surpassing the more expensive Enyaq.
• BYD Seal, with 503 units, became the highest-volume BEV for BYD in France to date.
• Opel Frontera and Citroën e-C3 Aircross also made their debut in the top 20, suggesting growing diversity in consumer choice.

Cumulative Trends and Outlook

BEVs now consistently outperform diesel-only registrations, which fell to just 4.8% market share, while petrol vehicles declined to 20.9%. This marks a pivotal moment in the French market, where clean mobility technologies are beginning to dominate new car registrations.

With more affordable models now available — and more expected later in the year — France is entering a phase where a broader segment of the population can access electric mobility. However, sustained growth will depend on vehicle availability, price competitiveness, and continued consumer confidence, especially in light of economic uncertainties.

France's progress in early 2025 suggests that, with the right mix of policy clarity, product range, and demand-side incentives, the country is well-positioned to accelerate its electric transition.

Source:

• AAA DATA

Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of the European Commission.