Automotive Market France: New Record for Electric Cars in 2022
- Published on 02/01/2023 11:30
- Modified on 28/09/2025 20:15
Electric cars hit a new symbolic milestone in France, with over 200,000 sales in 2022, and achieve a record market share.
In December, electric cars again surpassed diesel, a trend that has been confirmed for several months. Its market share reaches 15.8%, but still slightly below the record of September 2022 (15.9%). However, it reaches its volume record, with nearly 25,000 registrations. Many models contribute to this figure, such as the Dacia Spring with 2,800 units. The Tesla Model 3 and the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric also exceed 2,500 units, with the Tesla Model Y just short of that mark (2,496 units).
Hybrid vehicles are not to be outdone, also surpassing diesel even without the support of mild hybrids. Plug-in hybrids are the third in line, down 6%. The high price of these cars probably explains this trend, inflated by inflation and a reduced bonus of €1,000.
New car sales in France in December 2022 vs December 2021, by powertrain
| Dec. 22 | Dec. 21 | Change | Market share | |
| Petrol | 55,805 | 57,891 | -4% | 35% |
| Electric | 24,987 | 23,172 | +8% | 16% |
| Hybrid | 21,708 | 15,109 | +44% | 14% |
| Diesel | 21,517 | 27,483 | -22% | 14% |
| Plug-in Hybrid | 14,582 | 13,864 | +5% | 9% |
| Rechargeable Hybrid | 14,545 | 15,497 | -6% | 9% |
| GPL | 4,222 | 5,086 | -17% | 3% |
| E85 | 660 | 961 | -31% | 0.4% |
Electric and hybrid cars are catching up to diesel in 2022
Throughout 2022, conventional internal combustion engines remain in the lead. However, they decrease significantly: -15% for petrol and -32% for diesel. Electric vehicles, up 25%, are catching up with diesel, joined by hybrids at +34%. Other hybrids, such as mild and plug-in hybrids, are declining, while E85 fuel explodes and GPL remains stagnant.
Still marginal with less than 4% of the market, alternative fuels “benefit from the inflationary economic context and declining purchasing power to emerge“, indicates AAA Data.
New car sales in France in 2022 vs 2021, by powertrain
| 2022 | 2021 | Change | Market share | |
| Petrol | 568,880 | 667,503 | -15% | 37.2% |
| Diesel | 239,111 | 349,479 | -32% | 15.6% |
| Electric | 203,121 | 162,167 | +25% | 13.3% |
| Hybrid | 188,853 | 140,982 | +34% | 12.4% |
| Mild Hybrid | 143,810 | 148,855 | -3% | 9.4% |
| Rechargeable Hybrid | 126,549 | 141,001 | -10% | 8.3% |
| GPL | 46,849 | 46,422 | +1% | 3.1% | E85 | 11,753 | 2,424 | +385% | 0.4% |
| Hydrogen | 193 | 61 | +216% | 0.01% |
Also read: Bonus and conversion premium 2023, everything changes on January 1st!
This page is translated from the original post "Marché Auto France : nouveau record de voitures électriques en 2022" in French.
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