The adoption of the electric car is gaining speed in France. According to data from the Automotive Platform (PFA), 35 % of new passenger cars registered in July were 100 % electric models. And all of this occurs at a time when new-car sales rose by 9 % compared with the same month the previous year, totaling 126,808 units.
This phenomenon is not limited to our northern neighbors. The International Energy Agency estimates that globally, almost 30 % of cars sold in 2026 will run on electricity. The rising cost of gasoline and diesel, driven by the conflict in the Middle East and the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, has accelerated the shift.
One in three cars was electric in July
Pure electric vehicles accounted for 35 % of registrations in July, with 44,378 units, while hybrids made up 48 % of sales. Year to date, electric vehicles command 29 % of the market, versus 50.5 % for hybrids.
Meanwhile, internal combustion engines are losing momentum. Gasoline engines, with 13,903 units, now represent only 11 % of the market, and diesel, with 2,750 vehicles, barely reach 2 %, affected by more stringent environmental regulations.
The impact of social leasing. The advance of electric vehicles coincides with the start, on July 16, of the third edition of social leasing, a French government subsidy program designed to facilitate the purchase of electric cars for lower-income families. In its first edition, leasing was a resounding success and is establishing itself as one of the drivers of electric cars.
The third edition of social leasing was launched on July 16, 2026 with 50,000 electric cars with monthly payments of 200 € per month or less. In addition, there is an increased subsidy for electric car purchases, up to 9,000 euros for the most modest households, provided the car is manufactured in Europe, including the battery.
This makes electric vehicles more attractive to the majority, as shown by July sales. The Renault 5 leads the ranking with 3,794 units, followed by the Renault Scénic E-Tech (2,910 units), the new Renault Twingo (2,564 units) and the Tesla Model Y (2,401 units).
Changes in market leadership. The rise of the electric car is reshaping the market. Although they face tariffs and are excluded from French purchase subsidies for not being manufactured in Europe, Chinese brands are increasing their presence. In July they sold 9,935 units, 8 % of the total. BYD, Xpeng and Leapmotor boosted their sales compared with 2025, and MG grew 41 %, according to AAA Data.
French brands, however, maintain their position in their national market. Renault rose 9.5 % in registrations, and Stellantis 7.2 %. Within the Renault Group, the flagship brand grew 21.9 %, offsetting Dacia’s decline (-10.9 %), while within Stellantis, Citroën (+17.3 %) and Fiat (+53.5 %) stood out, with Peugeot adding 6.7 %.
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