Report: How Did France Reach a 64% Local Market Share in Electric Vehicle Registrations?

Fully electric vehicles manufactured in France have steadily increased their market share over the past two years.

In 2023, they accounted for 26.89% of the top 10 best-selling battery electric vehicles (BEVs), with manufacturers like Tesla, MG and Fiat leading the rankings.

According to analysis by Mobility Portal Data, the market share of French brands rose to 48.98% in 2024, and reached 63.97% in the first five months of 2025.

2024: A Turning Point

In May 2023, only three French models featured among the best-sellers: the Peugeot e-208, the Peugeot e-2008, and the Renault Mégane E-Tech. Their presence in the top 10 was still limited compared to options like the Tesla Model Y.

By May 2024, the landscape had changed, with new launches such as the Renault Scénic E-Tech and the much-anticipated Renault 5 E-Tech entering the market. A year later, seven domestic models featured in the top 10, confirming the consolidation of the French offer.

This progress coincides with a 77.98% drop in Tesla sales in France, reflecting a structural shift in consumer preferences.

Incentives: A Decisive Factor

The growing demand for electric cars manufactured in France is supported by mechanisms such as the Bonus Écologique, which offers up to 7,000 euros to private buyers for the purchase of a BEV priced below 47,000 euros.

Since 1 January 2024, the French government has implemented a reform that significantly changes the eligibility criteria for this incentive.

The key new element is the introduction of an environmental manufacturing criterion, which assesses the total carbon footprint of the vehicle’s production process—from raw material extraction and assembly logistics to the energy used at the manufacturing plant.

This measure directly impacts the market by excluding from the subsidy those imported models with a high environmental footprint, even if they are fully electric. Conversely, it benefits vehicles produced in France or elsewhere in Europe that meet stricter standards for industrial sustainability.

Models such as the Renault 5 E-Tech and the Citroën ë-C3, both manufactured in France, comply with these conditions—unlike the Tesla Model Y, which exceeds the maximum price threshold.

Vehicles manufactured in Asia, such as certain MG or BYD models, have lost access to the Bonus Écologique in their standard configurations, directly affecting their price competitiveness compared to local models.

In addition, regional subsidies—available in areas such as Île-de-France or Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes—further strengthen the competitiveness of the local industry by prioritising affordable vehicles produced in Europe.

Preference for domestic manufacturing is no longer just symbolic; it is consolidating due to advantages in logistics, reduced reliance on imports, and improved access to fiscal benefits.

In cities like Lyon and Toulouse, demand for vehicles assembled in France has increased by over 30%.

Renault: A Leading Example

Renault’s trajectory clearly illustrates this shift. Thanks to its flagship model, the Renault 5 E-Tech, it displaced Tesla from the top spot. The American automaker had led sales in 2023 with 60,014 registered units.

In 2024, Renault took first place with 43,343 electric vehicles sold and maintained that lead in 2025, registering 22,633 units by May.

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