The French automotive industry registered a total of 153,916 new passenger car registrations in September, up 9% year-on-year. This recent addition boosted the year-to-date figure by 16% YoY to 1,286,247 units.
At the same time, plug-in electric cars enjoyed a notable registration growth of 35% more than a year ago.
More remarkably, L’Avere-France data also indicated that the market share of passenger all-electric cars reached 19.6% last month.
“In September 2023, the French automobile market confirmed its revival after 3 years of crisis, even if it has not yet reached 2019 levels. In September 2023, electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles continued their remarkable rise, with the sales of 48,202 units, which equates to a significant market share of 25.5%. This achievement represents an increase of 34.5% compared to September 2022. Even more, over the first 9 months of 2023, sales of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles exceeded those of the entire year 2022. Note also that September 2023 marks the crossing of 25% market share.”
Clement Molizon, General Delegate of Avere-France
Without further ado, below are the plug-in car sales in France in September and YTD:
Plug-in car sales in France
Monthly
| Plug-in cars | Registrations | YoY Change | Market Share |
| Passenger BEVs | 30,173 | up 34% | 19.6% |
| Passenger PHEVs | 15,699 | up 35% | 10.2% |
| Total passenger plug-ins | 45,872 | up 35% | 29.8% |
| Light commercial BEVs | 2,297 | up 35% | 7% |
| Light commercial PHEVs | 33 | down 6% | – |
| Total plug-ins | 48,202 | up 35% | – |
YTD
| Plug-in cars | Registrations | YoY Change | Market Share |
| Passenger BEVs | 204,616 | up 45% | 15.9% |
| Passenger PHEVs | 116,446 | up 31% | 9.1% |
| Total passenger plug-ins | 321,062 | up 40% | 25% |
| Light commercial BEVs | 20,292 | up 111% | – |
| Light commercial PHEVs | 281 | down 38% | – |
| Total plug-ins | 341,635 | up 43% | – |
In hindsight, France registered 346,000+ plug-in electric vehicles in FY 2022. Of that total, passenger cars accounted for 330,000 units, with a market share of 21.5%.
Top-selling models
Unsurprisingly, the world’s best-selling vehicle, Tesla Model Y, also led the French EV market in September. It registered a total of 5,035 units last month.
| Models | Registrations | YoY Change |
| Tesla Model Y | 5,035 | 299% |
| Peugeot e-208 | 3,924 | 84% |
| Dacia Spring | 2,514 | 16% |
| Fiat 500 electric | 2,296 | 81% |
| MG4 | 1,945 | 2639% |
| Renault Megane-e | 1,372 | -53% |
| Renault Twingo | 968 | -30% |
| Kia Niro | 623 | 35% |
| Citroen E-C4 | 596 | 108% |
| MG ZS | 585 | 277% |
It is worth noting that the Tesla Model Y was also the fifth most popular model in the overall auto industry in France in September. In addition, Tesla ranked seventh in the brand rankings in the same month.
All these data considered, France is undoubtedly on track to hit 450,000 or more electric vehicle sales in 2023. For those unaware, the French Government has set a target of 1 million EV production in the country by 2027 with the aid of financial incentives for low-income customers.
