Electric and Hybrid Cars Dominate France’s 2025 Auto Market: Thermals Collapse as EVs Hit Record 26%
In November 2025, electric cars reached a record 26% market share in France, boosted by social leasing, while hybrids lead at 50.4% YTD. Discover why petrol and diesel are plummeting and what it means for buyers amid EU 2035 rules
France’s car market is electrifying faster than ever. In November 2025, fully electric vehicles (EVs) smashed records with 26% of new registrations—the highest monthly share yet—despite overall sales flatlining at 132,927 units, matching November 2022 levels. Hybrids now rule with 50.4% year-to-date (YTD) dominance, while petrol and diesel engines crumble under regulatory pressure and shifting buyer preferences.
EVs Surge to Historic Highs
Pure EVs grabbed one in five registrations YTD, up from 17% in 2023-2024, fueled by targeted incentives. Key drivers include:
Social Leasing Boom: Relaunched in October 2025 for 50,000 low-income households, offering new EVs with up to €7,000 state aid and capped €200 monthly payments—sparking massive uptake.
Corporate Mandates: Firms must include 20% EVs in fleets, accelerating business adoption.
Renault’s Star Power: The Renault 5 led with 31,571 YTD sales, powering Renault to 26.6% market share (+4% YoY).
This momentum contrasts with January’s 19.4% electrified share (BEVs at 17.4%), showing steady gains amid infrastructure builds and affordable models like Citroën ë-C3.
Hybrids Reign Supreme, Thermals Tank
Hybrids (full, plug-in, and mild) soared to 50.4% YTD, up 8.6 points from last year, blending efficiency without full charging needs. Petrol dropped to 21.6% (-8.6 points), diesel to just 5%—a decade after Dieselgate.
| Powertrain Type | YTD 2025 Share | Change YoY |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrids | 50.4% | +8.6 pts |
| Petrol | 21.6% | -8.6 pts |
| Diesel | 5.0% | Down sharply |
| EVs | 20%+ | Record high |
EU trends echo this: hybrids hit 34.6% across the bloc in October.
Top Manufacturers and Future Shifts
Renault leads at 26.6%, Stellantis holds 23% despite a 5.5% November dip. Debates rage over the 2035 thermal ban: Germany’s Friedrich Merz urges EU revisions, Stellantis’ Antonio Filosa cheers support, with Commission updates due December 10. Forecasts predict hybrids growing at 8.4% CAGR through 2035, driven by subsidies and fuel costs.
For expats in France, this signals cheaper used thermals short-term but primes the pump for EV incentives. Check chb44.com for buyer guides.
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