France becomes a millionaire in electric cars

In 2023, one in four cars sold relies on the magic of electricity to transport its occupants. And the transition is speeding up!

The French automotive landscape now has 2.5% of battery-powered cars on the road. This is good, but not great, as this figure must urgently rise to 15% by 2030 to meet France’s climate commitments. But let’s not spoil the excitement of seeing attitudes evolve. A brief overview of a historic year.

According to Avere (National Association for the Development of Electric Mobility), as of December 31, 2023, the French car fleet totaled exactly 1,108,605 electric cars in circulation.

Over the 12 months, 100% electric vehicles accounted for 16.8% of new registrations, while plug-in hybrids represented 9.2% of new license plates.

However, not everyone is yet ready to take the leap to battery-powered cars. Many questions and fears remain regarding vehicle range, charging times, and, for the most hesitant, the dangers of this technology. Let’s take this opportunity to reiterate that the fire risk is not greater for an electric car than for a thermal car. It is simply different due to the materials involved in fires!

Gasoline engines, still considered respectable thanks to improved efficiencies, remained stable, making up more than a third of the newly circulated fleet, while diesel continues its inexorable decline. Only one in ten new cars in 2023 was diesel, whereas a few years ago, more than two-thirds of cars ran on diesel.

Two factors will now influence sales in 2024. The loss of the eco-bonus for many flagship models such as the Tesla Model 3, Dacia Spring, or the entire MG range, but especially the arrival of new players like BYD!

According to figures compiled by Avere, here is the ranking of the 10 best-selling electric cars in France in 2023:

1. Tesla Model Y
2. Dacia Spring
3. Tesla Model 3
4. Fiat 500
5. Peugeot e-208
6. MG 4
7. Renault Megane
8. Renault Twingo
9. Mini
10. Renault Zoé

READ ALSO: Worldwide BYD sales up 62% in 2023