Summary
- Plugin EVs took 27.6% share in France in September, with BEV share growing modestly YoY
- Overall auto volume in September was 139,003 units, down by 11% YoY
- The Tesla Model Y was the best selling BEV in September
- Citroen and Renault started customer deliveries of new affordable BEVs in September
- Citroen faced challenges in meeting delivery deadlines for government programs, costing them around €30 million
Article
In September, plugin EVs in France took a 27.6% share of the auto market, with BEVs accounting for 20.4% and PHEVs for 7.2%. While BEV volume slightly decreased year-on-year, overall auto volume also saw an 11% drop. The Tesla Model Y was the best-selling BEV for the month. The growth trajectory for BEVs has been weak, with only a 1.2% increase in market share compared to the previous year. Despite this, Citroen and Renault started customer deliveries of their new affordable BEVs in September, which could potentially boost the overall BEV trajectory in the coming months.
There has been a shift from petrol-only sales to HEVs in France, with mild-hybrid HEVs becoming increasingly common. Diesel-only sales have reached a record low share of 5.8%. The top-selling BEV models in September included the Tesla Model Y, Citroen e-C3, and Peugeot e-208. The Renault Scenic also performed well, surpassing the Megane in the 3-month rankings. The Mini Cooper saw growth, reaching 6th place. The arrival of new affordable BEVs from Citroen and Renault added some excitement to the market.
The Renault 5 and Citroen e-C3 played a significant role in boosting BEV sales in September, with Citroen incurring a financial loss due to a rush to meet delivery deadlines. The longer-term outlook shows that the Tesla Model Y remains a strong leader in the French BEV market. The Citroen e-C3’s rush-job may have temporarily boosted its ranking, but its long-term success remains to be seen. With the Renault 5 beginning to reach significant production volumes, it is expected to climb the ranks over the next year.
With the introduction of new affordable BEVs in substantial volumes, France’s EV transition trajectory for the remainder of the year is expected to improve. Europe’s BEV transition is set to resume its upward journey in 2025 with tighter emissions regulations. Despite a tepid economy, France’s GDP output, inflation figures, and interest rates are showing some improvement. The manufacturing PMI remains weak, however. With the new Citroen e-C3 and Renault 5 now reaching consumers, the 2024 EV transition trajectory for France is uncertain, but with the potential to reach close to a 19% BEV share for the full year.
Looking ahead, the success of the new affordable BEVs and the overall EV transition trajectory in France will depend on various factors such as market demand, regulatory policies, and economic conditions. The gradual shift towards electric mobility is expected to continue, with BEVs playing an increasingly important role in the automotive market in the coming years. Stakeholders, policymakers, and consumers will need to collaborate to ensure a smooth transition to a sustainable and greener transportation system.
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