French auto market had its worst year during 2022 since 1975, with only 1.5 million units registration, plugin sales significantly grew. December sales were up 1% year on year (YoY) and set a new high.
Total electric vehicles (BEVs) increased by 7% to 24,733 registrations, while PHEVs remained stagnant (-7%, 14,486 registrations) — they have been declining YoY since last February. This allowed BEVs to have a 63% share of the plugin vehicle market in December, signaling the market’s return to its BEV-friendly roots. Year to date (YTD), pure electrics ended with a 62% share, up from 53% in 2021 and surpassing the 60% share in 2020.
With PHEVs no longer eligible for subsidies, expect this trend to continue through 2023, with BEVs accounting for more than 70% of all plugin sales.
As a result, December saw a 25% plugin share (16% for BEVs alone), and the overall 2022 plugin share was 21.5% (13.3% for BEVs). This represented a 3.2% boost over the 2021 figure of 18.3% (9.8% BEV).
That may appear low, especially in comparison to increases in 2021 (to 18.3% from 11%) and 2020 (to 11% from 3% in 2019), but it is growth. This is slower growth than some had hoped for, but it is a move in the right direction; they will get there, hopefully, before the year 2035.
Amusingly, the current market interruption is also benefiting plug-less hybrids (HEVs), which have increased their market share from 18% to 22% this year. Electrified models accounted for 44% of all auto sales in 2022, up from 35% in 2021.
This is a significant step forward, and electrified vehicles should account for most of the market by 2023. Meanwhile, 100% gasoline-powered vehicles lost 3% market share last year, falling to 37% at the end of 2022. Entirely diesel-powered cars fared even worse, dropping 5% of their market share and reaching 16%.
France’s best-selling EVs in December 2022
| MODEL | TOTAL REGISTRATIONS |
| Dacia Spring | 2,800 |
| Tesla Model 3 | 2,671 |
| Renault Megane EV | 2,534 |
| Tesla Model Y | 2,493 |
| Peugeot e-208 | 1,333 |
| Volkswagen ID.3 | 971 |
| Mini Cooper EV | 840 |
| MG 4 | 829 |
| Renault Twingo EV | 800 |
| Peugeot 3008 PHEV | 758 |
| Fiat 500e | 750 |
| Mercedes GLA250e PHEV | 645 |
| CItroen C5 Aircross PHEV | 636 |
| Mini Countryman PHEV | 625 |
| Hyundai Kona EV | 619 |
| Porsche Cayenne PHEV | 602 |
| Renault Zoe | 599 |
| Volkswagen ID.5 | 593 |
| Volkswagen ID.4 | 567 |
| BMW 2-Series AT PHEV | 559 |
Peeking at last month’s best sellers, there was a tight race between the Dacia Spring and the Tesla Model 3, with the small crossover coming out on top. The Dacia Spring received 2,800 registrations, its best outcome in over a year, trailing Tesla’s mid-sizer, which received 129 units.
The Renault Megane EV took bronze, bumping the Tesla Model Y and Peugeot e-208 off the podium.
Underneath the top 5, two compact hatchbacks, including the #6 Volkswagen ID, stand out. 3 with 971 registrations, a new year high, while the MG 4 comes in at #8 with 829 rolls in only its fourth month on the market. Expect MG’s hatchback to be a real competitor in 2023, largely thanks to its unrivaled value for money.
| RANK | MODEL | REGISTRATIONS | PERCENT |
| 1 | Dacia Spring | 2,800 | 7.1% |
| 2 | Tesla Model 3 | 2,671 | 6.8% |
| 3 | Renault Megane EV | 2,534 | 6.5% |
| 4 | Tesla Model Y | 2,493 | 6.4% |
| 5 | Peugeot e-208 | 1,333 | 3.4% |
| 6 | Volkswagen ID.3 | 971 | 2.5% |
| 7 | Mini Cooper EV | 840 | 2.1% |
| 8 | MG 4 | 829 | 2.1% |
| 9 | Reanult Twingo EV | 800 | 2.0% |
| 10 | Peugeot 3008 PHEV | 758 | 1.9% |
| 11 | Fiat 500e | 750 | 1.9% |
| 12 | Mercedes GLA250e PHEV | 645 | 1.6% |
| 13 | Citroen C5 Aircorss PHEV | 636 | 1.6% |
| 14 | Mini Countryman PHEV | 625 | 1.6% |
| 15 | Hyundai Kona EV | 619 | 1.6% |
| 16 | Porsche Cayenne PHEV | 602 | 1.5% |
| 17 | Renault Zoe | 599 | 1.5% |
| 18 | Volkswagen ID.5 | 593 | 1.5% |
| 19 | Volkswagen ID.4 | 567 | 1.4% |
| 20 | BMW 2-series AT PHEV | 559 | 1.4% |
| OTHERS | 16,995 | 43.3% | |
| TOTAL | 39,219 | 100% |
The Peugeot 3008 PHEV was the star of the month in the PHEV segment,
ranking #10 in December with 758 registrations. It outperformed the #12 Mercedes GLA PHEV, amidst the Mercedes model setting a personal high with 645 rolls. The #14 Mini Countryman PHEV set a new record with 625 registrations.
Two more plugin hybrids benefited from the year-end rush, landing in the top 20 for the first time. The Porsche Cayenne PHEV came in at number 16 with 603 (pre-)registrations, while BMW’s MPV 2-Series Active Tourer PHEV came in at number 20 with 559 registrations.
Volkswagen’s newfound form was highlighted last month when the German automaker handled to position three models in the French top 20. Aside from the previously mentioned #6 ID.3, Volkswagen also placed the ID.5 and ID.4 siblings at #18 and #19, respectively, with both models setting records with 593 and 563 registrations. This could result in a more powerful Volkswagen in the French market in 2023.
France’s best-selling EVs in January-December 2022
| MODEL | TOTAL REGISTRATIONS |
| Peugeot e-208 | 19,219 |
| Dacia Spring | 18,326 |
| Tesla Model 3 | 17,005 |
| Renault Megane EV | 15,580 |
| Fiat 500e | 15,163 |
| Renault Twingo EV | 12,655 |
| Renault Zoe | 12,180 |
| Tesla Model Y | 11,892 |
| Peugeot 308 PHEV | 10,744 |
| Peugeot e-2008 | 7,174 |
| Peugeot 308 PHEV | 6,661 |
| Citroen C5 Aircross PHEV | 6,641 |
| Hyundai Kona EV | 6,522 |
| Mini Cooper EV | 5,809 |
| Mercedes GLC PHEV | 5,501 |
| Hyundai Tucson PHEV | 4,774 |
| DS 7 PHEV | 4,368 |
| Volkswagen ID.3 | 4,256 |
| Kia Niro EV | 3,979 |
| Kia Sportage PHEV | 3,947 |
With the Tesla Model 3 busting the Renault Zoe’s long winning streak from 2013 to 2020, it’s now time for Peugeot to celebrate its first EV model title since… the 1990s. Yes, it’s been nearly 30 years since the small Peugeot 106 EV was the Sochaux brand’s last best-seller.
Peugeot’s hatchback is about to get a refresh with updated specs, so it should hold off the Dacia Spring and Renault Megane EV’s attempts to take the top spot.
Whereas, unlike in neighboring Germany and other markets, the Model Y will have to share the limelight with the Model 3 in France because a) this is not (yet) as SUV-crazed a market as others, and b) the price difference between the Model 3 and Model Y may deter many buyers from flocking to the crossover, potentially preventing the crossover from becoming the biggest rival for the best-seller title.
The bronze medal went to the Tesla Model 3, which moved up one spot from November, benefiting from a slow month for the Fiat 500e, which the Renault Megane EV also used to move up one spot into fourth place.
Peugeot will undoubtedly celebrate another successful year with the 3008 PHEV crossover finishing ninth and earning the best-selling PHEV title. Two other models are making it into the top 20 (e-2008 and 308 PHEV). This also demonstrates Stellantis’ approach of relying on a robust and diverse lineup (7 models in the top 20) rather than star players.
| RANK | MODEL | REGISTRATIONS | PERCENT |
| 1 | Peugeot e-208 | 2,800 | 5.8% |
| 2 | Dacia Spring | 2,671 | 5.6% |
| 3 | Tesla Model 3 | 2,534 | 5.2% |
| 4 | Renault Megane EV | 2,493 | 4.7% |
| 5 | Fiat 500e | 1,333 | 4.6% |
| 6 | Renault Twingo EV | 971 | 3.8% |
| 7 | Renault Zoe | 840 | 3.7% |
| 8 | Tesla Model Y | 829 | 3.6% |
| 9 | Peugeot 308 PHEV | 800 | 3.3% |
| 10 | Peugeot e-2008 | 758 | 2.2% |
| 11 | Peugeot 308 PHEV | 750 | 2.0% |
| 12 | Citroen C5 Aircross PHEV | 645 | 2.0% |
| 13 | Hyundai Kona EV | 636 | 2.0% |
| 14 | Mini Cooper EV | 625 | 1.8% |
| 15 | Mercedes GLC PHEV | 619 | 1.7% |
| 16 | Hyundai Tucson PHEV | 602 | 1.5% |
| 17 | DS 7 PHEV | 599 | 1.3% |
| 18 | Volkswagen ID.3 | 593 | 1.3% |
| 19 | Kia Niro EV | 567 | 1.2% |
| 20 | Kia Sportage PHEV | 559 | 1.2% |
| OTHERS | 16,995 | 41.5% | |
| TOTAL | 39,219 | 100% |
Regarding last-minute lineup changes, the Tesla Model Y swapped places with the Peugeot 3008 PHEV, finishing the year in eighth place.
There were nine BEVs in the top ten, with the Mini Cooper EV taking 14th place over the Mercedes GLC PHEV, which is currently undergoing a generational change.
The city car section was the most exciting to watch regarding size categories. The Dacia Spring won the race again, but it had to work hard to defeat the Fiat 500e. It’s also worth noting that we have three city EVs in the top ten. And guess what? City EVs are selling in Europe!
The BMW X5 PHEV was named the best-selling full-size vehicle in 2020. It outsold the Porsche Cayenne PHEV with 2,772 deliveries (2,361 units). The Audi e-tron was once again the best-selling BEV in the category, albeit with a lower score than 2020. (489 units vs. 804 units in 2020).
In the remaining sections, the Peugeot e-208 easily defeated the Renault Zoe; in the compact category, the Renault Megane EV triumphed; and in the midsize class, it was a Tesla fiesta, with the US automaker taking first and second place (the Model 3 won the upper hand).
France’s best-selling EV brands in January-December 2022
| MODEL | PERCENT |
| Peugeot | 14.1% |
| Renault | 13.6% |
| Tesla | 8.9% |
| Mercedes | 5.9% |
| Dacia | 5.6% |
In terms of brand ranking, interruption has also drawn blood. Peugeot (14.1%, down from 14.8%) reclaimed the title, with Renault (13.6%, down from 13.9%) taking silver for the second year.
The bronze medalist in 2022 was Tesla (8.9%, up from 8.2%), followed by Mercedes (5.9%) and Dacia (5.6%).
France’s best-selling Auto groups & Alliances for EV sales in January-December 2022
| MODEL | PERCENT |
| Stellantis | 28.4% |
| Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi | 20.4% |
| Volkswagen Group | 10.0% |
| Hyundai-Kia | 9.1% |
| Tesla | 8.9% |
Stellantis (28.4%, down from 29.7%) was the kingpin in OEM sales, thanks to a strong lineup. Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi was second (20.4%), and Volkswagen Group was third (10%, up from 9.2%).
Hyundai-Kia (9.1%, down from 9.4%) and Tesla (8.9%) round out the top three.
