Electric Car Sales 2025: France Slows Down, Renault 5 Takes Off

The French electric car sector is losing momentum. With 148,612 registrations in the first half of 2025, deliveries are down 6.4% compared to 2024. A paradox, as the Renault 5 E-Tech is booming with 15,752 units sold and EVs reached a 21.3% market share in June. Between consumer hesitation and a reshuffling of best-sellers, here’s a breakdown of a sector in transition.

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148,612 Electric Vehicles Registered: France in the Red

The numbers are in—and they hurt. The first half of 2025 saw a 6.4% drop in electric car registrations in France, according to NGC-Data and AAA Data. Even more worrying, May saw a 19% plunge compared to May 2024. A real setback for a segment that seemed to be on an upward trajectory.

Yet, not everything is bleak. In June, 43,994 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles were sold, representing a 21.3% market share. A historically high level that shows electrification still appeals, despite a tough environment.

Avere-France, through its general delegate Clément Molizon, sees this as a phase of consumer wait-and-see behavior linked to the social leasing program. Buyers are holding off until September to benefit from the scheme, creating a delay rather than a loss of interest in EVs.

This analysis is confirmed by monthly statistics. After a relatively stable start to the year with moderate declines of 5–8%, the sharp drop in May (-19%) coincides exactly with the announcement of the return of social leasing. Private buyers, who make up 60% of the market, have massively postponed their purchases.

Top 10 Electric Vehicles: Renault Crushes the Competition

The surprise comes from the best-seller rankings. The new Renault 5 E-Tech, launched at the end of 2024, is already the undisputed queen of the domestic segment with 15,752 units sold. A stellar start for this neo-retro city car priced from €24,990.

Behind it, Citroën scores big with its ë-C3, climbing to second place with 9,473 units—a spectacular 156% increase over 2024. The secret? A starting price of €23,300 and European manufacturing that qualifies it for the full ecological bonus.

Tesla, long untouchable on the podium, tumbles. The Model Y holds onto third place with 8,886 deliveries but drops 22%. More dramatic, the Model 3 falls to seventh with 4,892 units, down 28%. The novelty effect fades, and French competitors regain ground.

Full Ranking That Shakes Up the Market

Rank	Vehicle	H1 2025 Registrations	Change	Base Price
1	Renault 5 E-Tech	15,752	New	€24,990
2	Citroën ë-C3	9,473	+156%	€23,300
3	Tesla Model Y	8,886	-22%	€42,990
4	Renault Scénic E-Tech	7,995	New	€41,990
5	Peugeot e-208	5,788	-18%	€33,100
6	Fiat 500e	5,234	-31%	€28,900
7	Tesla Model 3	4,892	-28%	€39,990
8	Renault Megane E-Tech	4,651	-15%	€39,500
9	Volkswagen ID.3	4,223	-12%	€37,990
10	BMW iX1	3,987	+8%	€52,950

Beyond the top 10, other models deserve attention. The new Peugeot e-3008 made a strong debut with 3,745 units. Family SUVs are clearly in demand, as shown by the success of the Renault Scénic E-Tech with 7,995 registrations.

Conversely, some models are collapsing. The Dacia Spring, positioned as the most affordable EV, plummets 42% with just 3,156 registrations. The Chinese MG4 drops 35%, hit by the new eco-score system favoring European production.

Why the Slowdown in EV Adoption?

The main reason for the decline can be summed up in two words: social leasing. After the massive success in 2024 with 50,000 applications processed in weeks, consumers clearly see the value of the program. Why buy now when you can lease from €100/month with no deposit in September?

This wait-and-see behavior affects low- and middle-income households—the program’s target audience. Dealers report that customers are researching, test-driving, but consistently delaying decisions until fall to benefit from social leasing.

The government is caught in its own trap. By announcing the return of social leasing too early, it inadvertently froze part of the market for six months.

Eco-Score Reshapes the Ecological Bonus

Since July 2025, the aid system has changed dramatically. The traditional ecological bonus is gone, replaced by Energy Savings Certificates (CEE) and an eco-score that clearly favors domestic and European production. Aid ranges from €3,100 to €4,240 depending on income, but some models are now excluded.

This shift explains much of the ranking changes. The Renault 5 and Citroën ë-C3, made in Europe, get the full bonus. In contrast, the Dacia Spring (assembled in Morocco and China) and the fully Chinese MG4 lose this key advantage. Result: their registrations drop 42% and 35%, respectively.

French manufacturers anticipated this shift perfectly. Renault builds the R5 and Scénic in Douai. Stellantis makes the ë-C3 in Slovakia and the e-208 in the same plant. Made in Europe pays off.

Unfavorable Economic Conditions

Beyond these specific factors, the general economic context weighs heavily. Automotive inflation hits 4.2% this year. Auto loan interest rates hover around 4.5%, making financing more expensive. The average price of a new EV remains high at €38,500, despite more affordable versions.

Professionals, who usually account for 40% of EV purchases, are also tightening budgets. Faced with economic uncertainty and constant changes in Low Emission Zone (ZFE) regulations, companies are delaying electrification investments. Fleet registrations dropped 18% in H1.

The Premium Paradox: Why BMW Rises as Tesla Falls

Surprisingly, the premium segment is holding up better than entry-level. The BMW iX1 even shows an 8% increase with nearly 4,000 units registered. Why this paradox while the overall market declines?

First, premium buyers don’t rely on government incentives to make decisions. A BMW or Audi buyer rarely calculates their budget based on the ecological bonus. This financial independence shields these brands from regulatory changes.

Second, premium EVs retain value better. A premium electric SUV loses only 15% of its value after one year, compared to 25% for entry-level city EVs. This reassures wealthy buyers and companies considering resale.

Tesla is the exception. Despite its premium positioning, the American brand struggles. Several factors explain this: increased competition from traditional brands, constant price hikes, and a tarnished image due to Elon Musk’s controversies. French buyers are turning to more mainstream alternatives.

The Crucial Role of Charging Infrastructure in Buyer Confidence

One positive trend stands out despite gloomy figures: the charging network continues to expand. France now has 118,000 public charging points, with a goal of 150,000 by the end of 2025. This infrastructure reassures potential buyers and gradually removes range anxiety.

Charging times have dropped significantly. At a fast charging station, 20 minutes is enough to recover 80% battery on recent models like the Renault 5 E-Tech or Peugeot e-3008. Manufacturers have also improved efficiency: average consumption dropped from 17 kWh/100 km in 2024 to 15.8 kWh/100 km on 2025 models.

These technical improvements, combined with increasingly competitive charging rates, boost EV appeal despite the tough climate. Innovations are multiplying: V2G bidirectional charging to sell electricity back to the grid, next-gen batteries with longer life, smart preconditioning systems optimizing winter range.

Can the Sector Bounce Back by Late 2025?

September: The Month of Hope

All eyes are on September and the return of social leasing. With 50,000 vehicles planned and monthly payments between €100 and €150 with no deposit, the program should trigger a massive surge. French manufacturers are ready: the Renault 5 E-Tech, Citroën ë-C3, and upcoming Fiat Grande Panda will be the stars.

Industry experts expect a strong rebound in Q4. We could see 15,000 to 20,000 additional registrations in the last three months of the year—enough to soften the blow for the full year.

The Rise of Affordable EVs

H2 will also see the arrival of a new generation of more affordable EVs. The Renault 4 E-Tech, expected under €30,000, could surprise. Volkswagen promises its ID.2 under €25,000, though it may slip to 2026. Fiat is betting on its Grande Panda electric to challenge the Dacia Spring in the low-cost segment.

This democratization of supply has been long awaited. If manufacturers deliver on pricing, the segment could finally take off among the general public. Range is no longer a barrier, with many models exceeding 400 km WLTP. All that’s missing are attractive prices to win over the last skeptics.

2026: The Year of the Expected Rebound

Avere-France remains optimistic for 2026, forecasting 25% growth. Several factors could reignite the market. First, ZFE expansion in 12 new cities will force millions to rethink mobility. Older combustion vehicles will be gradually banned from these zones.

Second, battery costs continue to fall. An 8% drop is expected in 2026, which should lower EV prices. The range-to-price ratio keeps improving, making EVs increasingly competitive with combustion.

Finally, regulatory stability after two years of constant changes should restore buyer confidence. Companies, burned by shifting rules, may resume fleet electrification investments.

Ongoing infrastructure development supports this transition. With 150,000 public charging points by end-2025 and a growing network of ultra-fast stations, France has the tools to support EV growth. Charging solutions are becoming more accessible and convenient, removing the last barriers.

A Sector in Transition, Not in Crisis

EV registrations in France are going through turbulence this year, but fundamentals remain strong. The 6.4% drop in H1 is more about temporary factors—social leasing delays, aid system changes, economic tension—than waning interest in electrification.

France remains Europe’s second-largest EV market after Germany, with over 1.5 million electric vehicles on the road. The 21.3% market share reached in June proves electrification is progressing in the national automotive mix.

The success of the Renault 5 E-Tech shows that with the right product at the right price, buyers are ready to make the switch. The expected rebound in late 2025 with social leasing and more affordable models should confirm this trend. The road to 100% electric registrations by 2035 is long, but the direction is clear.