In the face of soaring fuel prices, hybrids attract attention
- Published on 01/04/2026 18:08
As fuel prices soar, French motorists are seeking more economical and less polluting solutions.
The 2025 Energy Barometer by leboncoin auto, conducted with L’Argus, paints a clear picture of their intentions: hybrid cars have emerged as the big winners in the automotive market.
In the tenth edition of this study, 3,468 people were surveyed in January 2026. The result? Hybrids lead the purchasing intentions with 35% of the votes, ahead of gasoline, diesel, and electric (23%). This choice reflects a genuine desire for greening, without sacrificing daily comfort.
Furthermore, the sudden rise in fuel prices in March has amplified the trend. In just one week, searches for electric vehicles on leboncoin surged by +43%, and for plug-in hybrids by +12%, while searches for gasoline and diesel decreased by 5% and 7%, respectively.
Additionally, the site notes for the first time in three years a stabilization, or even a slight increase, in the average prices of used cars. Hybrids, on the other hand, see their prices drop by 3.6%, making them particularly attractive at the moment.
Hybrid: the ideal bridge to electric?
Many French people remain attached to their current engine. However, when considering a change, hybrids appear as the second preferred choice for owners of gasoline or diesel cars. Their driving experience similar to thermal engines, their efficiency, and the variety of technologies (micro-hybrid, classic hybrid, or plug-in) explain this success.
Among current hybrid owners, 61% plan to buy another one, and 22% say they are ready to take the plunge into 100% electric. Once converted to electric, 86% would not go back.
Limited range remains the primary concern (73% of respondents, an increase of 11 points compared to 2024), followed by charging constraints, the cost of electricity, and questions about the true ecological benefit.
“Despite a certain conservatism, hybrids often represent the first step towards electrification,” analyzes Olivier Flavier, General Director of the Automotive market at leboncoin. “It’s a reassuring, realistic, and immediately accessible solution.”
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Between the new car market, heavily influenced by bonuses and penalties, and the used car market where diesel remains somewhat resistant, the choice is complex. But one thing is certain: in the face of rising fuel prices, the French are increasingly looking at electrified alternatives. Hybrids thus impose themselves as the ideal compromise between ecology, budget, and daily peace of mind.
This page is translated from the original post "Face à la flambée du prix des carburants, l’hybride séduit" in French.
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