The automotive recovery driven by electric vehicles and fleets
- Published on 02/04/2026 9:38
The French automotive market is finally back to growth in March 2026, after several months of concerning decline.
According to the latest AAA Data barometer, 173,634 new cars were registered, representing a 13% increase year-on-year. However, this increase should be taken with caution, as it follows a particularly challenging March 2025, marked by a tightening of the CO₂ penalty and reduced incentives.
This rebound occurs within a context of accelerated transformation of the energy mix. Electric cars now account for 28% market share, with 49,406 registrations (+69%). This dynamic is driven by the enhancement of the ecological bonus through energy savings certificates (CEE) and price reductions from several manufacturers. Over the quarter, electric sales surged by 50%.
Hybrids still dominate the market with a 51% market share (+12%), while internal combustion engines continue to decline: gasoline falls by 24%, and diesel by 31%, impacted by a strengthened penalty since January 2026.
Thank you, fleets!
On the actors’ side, fleets confirm their key role in this transition. While their volumes remain stable (-2%), their mix is evolving rapidly: 41% of their registrations are now electric (+77%). This shift is largely stimulated by tax incentives, including exemptions from certain taxes and regulatory objectives imposing an increasing share of low-emission vehicles.
The used car market is progressing more modestly (+2%), but follows the same trend. Electric vehicles show an increase of 47%, although they still only represent 4% of transactions.
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In the medium term, fleets are expected to remain a vital engine of decarbonization. More sensitive to regulatory constraints than individuals, they accelerate the renewal of the fleet and supply the used market with recent electrified models, fostering a wider dissemination of these technologies.
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This page is translated from the original post "La reprise automobile portée par l’électrique et les flottes" in French.
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