EVs At 31.1% Share In France — Social Leasing Increase

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October’s auto market noticed plugin EVs at 31.1% share in France, up from 23.5% yr on yr. BEVs grew YoY quantity by 63% and gained an extra 9% share of the market. Total auto quantity was 139,514 models, up some 3% YoY. The Renault 5 was France’s best-selling BEV in October.

October noticed mixed EVs at 31.1% share in France, with full battery electrics (BEVs) at 24.4% and plugin hybrids (PHEVs) at 6.7%. These evaluate with YoY figures of 23.5% mixed, 15.4% BEV and eight.0% PHEV.

October’s notable improve in BEV gross sales (up 63% YoY to 34,109 models) is a welcome results of the primary deliveries beneath the 2025 “Social Leasing” programme. How lengthy will the programme’s enhance to BEV volumes final? The Renault 5 delivered 4,551 models in October, some 2,000 models increased than regular. In complete, the Renault 5 recorded 10,000 signed lease contracts beneath the programme, so we will conclude that roughly 20% of those have been fulfilled (and delivered) in October.

Assuming this 20% monthly is roughly professional rata over all Social Leasing automobiles, the programme’s enhance to BEV volumes may last as long as 5 or 6 months. Whereas that is thus a brief enhance, it is going to nonetheless additionally get extra (comparatively reasonably priced) BEVs on the street, improve dealerships’ familiarity with BEVs, in addition to the general public’s familiarity, improve manufacturing volumes and cut back prices, and so forth – all advantages which is able to endure after the programme ends.

Because of the rise in BEV market share, mixed combustion-only share fell to a document low of 23.3%, with diesel at an equal-record low of 4.2% and petrol an equal-record low of 19.2% (flat from final month). We may even see their mixed share dip under 20% in December.

Greatest-Promoting BEV Fashions

Because of the Social Leasing programme, the Renault 5 noticed near document volumes in October, with 4,551 models delivered, taking the highest spot.

One other Social Leasing participant, the Peugeot e-208, took second with 2,436 models (some 3x its latest month-to-month common quantity). The Renault Scenic (not within the programme) took third, with 1,670 models.

Two different fashions which bought a notable enhance from the programme have been the Peugeot e-2008, with 1,630 models (over 4x its latest month-to-month quantity), and the Renault Megane, with 1,166 models (some 2x latest quantity).

The Citroen e-C3 hasn’t but proven any explicit enhance from the programme, with a modest 1,391 models (decrease than its quantity in 4 earlier months this yr).

In the meantime the Renault 4 continued to ramp, with a private greatest 1,201 models, and the Hyundai Inster additionally noticed a P.B. of 574 models.

Most different fashions within the high 20 have been wholesome, albeit not essentially at their document volumes.

As traditional, restricted public knowledge on auto gross sales signifies that we will’t detect launches of recent BEVs within the French market. It’s notable nonetheless, that effectively over half of the highest 20 quantity is made up of fashions in A and B segments.

Let’s get an replace on the trailing 3-month gross sales rankings:

Regardless of its large September, the Tesla Mannequin Y’s extra modest October volumes have seen it fall again to second place this month, because the Renault 5 as soon as once more stands within the lead. The small Renault additionally has a giant lead over the Tesla within the YTD race, so this isn’t simply concerning the Renault’s outsized October end result.

The Peugeot e-208, however, has leapt as much as third in October (from seventh within the prior interval) primarily due to the Social Leasing programme. Its sibling, the e-2008, had a good larger relative climb, to eighth, from twenty third beforehand.

The 2 different large climbers in comparison with three months prior have been the Renault 4, now in sixth, from thirteenth, and the Hyundai Inster, in thirteenth, from twenty fourth prior. In each instances, that is primarily a results of their newness, and persevering with manufacturing ramp-up.

How far will these new fashions proceed to climb? I might anticipate the Renault 4, which is a small SUV type issue, to ultimately be virtually as common as its hatchback sibling, the Renault 5. The approaching months will see them each usually within the high 5, and certain each staying there for a very long time.

Outlook

The three% YoY progress of the auto market is nearly all due to the enhance in BEV quantity, ensuing from the beginning of Social Leasing deliveries. This YoY enhance will proceed over the subsequent few months.

The broader French macroeconomy stays undynamic, with Q3 2025 knowledge exhibiting 0.9% YoY GDP progress, following on from 0.7% in Q2. Headline inflation decreased to 1.0% in October, from 1.2% in September. ECB rates of interest stay flat at 2.15% (since early June). Manufacturing PMI was up barely, at 48.8 factors in October, from 48.0 factors in September.

Macron’s approval ranking is now simply 11% in response to latest polling, however he nonetheless refuses to name contemporary elections, since his ego is seemingly larger than the views of the French individuals. I’m ready for the pitchforks to emerge. Starmer (UK) and Merz (Germany) are solely marginally much less unpopular, clearly demonstrating that the insurance policies and postures of Europe’s political class don’t symbolize the need of the individuals (so who’re they representing?).

The European ruling lessons’ assist for the Gaza genocide (towards the need of the individuals) has been the clearest instance of this charade, and proof of their enduring supremacism (contra the emotions of standard individuals). This blatant supremacism can be a catastrophe for Europe’s picture on this planet, and the numerous fall in overseas funding into the area displays this, signalling a good worse financial outlook sooner or later. Know-how transitions require funding and financial buoyancy, and the present ruling class is on the incorrect facet of historical past, clinging on to Europe’s imperial age.

What are your ideas about France’s transition to EVs? Which manufacturers and fashions do you anticipate to have essentially the most success? Please share your perspective within the feedback under.