In Brief
In France, the electric car market is hitting a record level in 2026, with 35.4% market share in July and 49,018 electric vehicles registered that month. Sales are now balanced between private individuals and businesses, signaling increased maturity. The launch of social leasing is driving the momentum with 20,000 orders in two weeks. The top sellers include the Tesla Model Y, the Renault 5 E-Tech, and the Renault Scénic E-Tech.
L’Auto-Journal takes a close look at the state of car sales in France in 2026 in the 100% electric car market. Also find our rankings overall and for new SUVs (updated).
Car Sales 2026: A New Record for Electric in France
“In August, electric vehicles reach a new record with 38.8% market share in the passenger car segment, up 111% versus August 2025,” exults Clément Molizon, the Director General of l’Avere-France. “The rolling fleet also surpasses the 2 million mark for 100% electric vehicles.
In August, the four most registered electric models (Model Y, R5, Scenic, and Twingo) reinforce another EV characteristic: the low share of registrations to professional car fleets (including short-term rental). In August, only 4% on average for these four models, compared with 35% for the entire market.
Thus, their momentum is driven largely by private individuals and businesses. Private buyers account for 78% of Model Y registrations, 72% of the R5, and up to 91% of the Twingo. The Renault Scenic stands out for a strong corporate presence, which accounts for 69% of its registrations in August.”
Electric Car Sales in France: The July 2026 Top
The top 10 of new 100% electric passenger cars sold in France in July 2026 is listed below (source: AVERE-France according to data from PFA/AAA Data).
Electric Car Sales in France: The provisional Top 10 for 2026
Find below the provisional top 10 of new 100% electric passenger cars sold in France in 2026:
- Tesla Model Y — 29,658 registrations
- Renault 5 E-Tech — 26,772 registrations
- Renault Scénic E-Tech — 17,784 registrations
- Citroën ë-C3 — 11,283 registrations
- Peugeot e-208 — 10,956 registrations
- Renault Mégane E-Tech — 9,298 registrations
- Renault Twingo E-Tech — 9,491 registrations
- Volkswagen ID.4 — 9,058 registrations
- Škoda Elroq — 8,862 registrations
- Kia EV2 — 2,679 registrations
Sources : AVERE-France / AAA Data / PFA
Comparative Table
| Model | Sales (registrations in 2026) |
|---|---|
| Tesla Model Y | 25 036 |
| Renault 5 E-Tech | 24 456 |
| Renault Scénic E-Tech | 16 039 |
| Peugeot e-208 | 9 990 |
| Citroën ë-C3 | 9 840 |
| Renault Mégane E-Tech | 8 361 |
| Renault Twingo E-Tech | 7 917 |
| Volkswagen ID.4 | 7 754 |
| Škoda Elroq | 7 452 |
| Peugeot e-3008 | 6 359 |
Key Takeaways
- The electric car market reached 35.4% share in July 2026.
- 49,018 electric vehicles were registered in France that month, up 114% from 2025.
- The top sellers include Tesla Model Y, Renault 5 E-Tech, and Renault Scénic E-Tech.
- Professional and private buyers are now evenly split in purchases.
- Social leasing has kicked off strongly with nearly 20,000 orders in two weeks.
- Electrification extends to the light commercial vehicle segment, accounting for 15.5% of registrations.
FAQ
What is the market share of electric cars in France in July 2026?
Electric vehicles accounted for 35.4% of the private passenger car market in July 2026.
How many electric vehicles were registered in France in July 2026?
49,018 electric vehicles (passenger cars and light commercial vehicles) were registered that month.
Which electric car model leads sales in 2026 in France?
The Tesla Model Y tops the chart with 25,036 registrations in 2026.
How is the profile of EV buyers evolving?
Purchases are now evenly split between private individuals and professional buyers.
What impact does social leasing have on EV sales?
Social leasing has already generated nearly 20,000 orders in two weeks in 2026, underpinning market momentum.
