Battery-electric vehicles accounted for 25.3% of all new car registrations in France in January, as government-backed leasing incentives spurred demand despite an overall decline in the broader auto market, industry association Avere France said.
A total of 33,302 battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) were registered during the month, marking a 50% increase compared with a year earlier. Passenger cars made up the bulk of the figure at 30,594 units, alongside 2,708 light commercial vehicles. The surge lifted the EV share of new registrations to roughly one in four vehicles.
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“The year 2026 began with an exceptional January,” said Clément Molizon, General Delegate of Avere France. “The momentum observed since September 2025 continued, driven in particular by deliveries under the 2025 social leasing scheme.” He added that electric vehicles accounted for 28.6% of registrations in the private passenger car segment, with volumes rising “by more than 50% compared to January 2025.”
Nearly half of the electric vehicles registered were purchased by private individuals (48.8%), while businesses accounted for 51.2%. Growth in the private segment was particularly strong, with BEVs representing more than one in four new cars and recording a year-on-year increase of 53.6%, outpacing overall market expansion.
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Officials attribute much of the increase to the government’s subsidised “social leasing” programme for electric cars, which targets low-income households. The second funding round concluded in January after approving 50,000 vehicles. Monthly leasing costs range from €95 to €195 depending on the model, with no upfront payment required, supported by subsidies of up to €7,000 per vehicle. Together with the first round—where subsidies reached as high as €13,000—the programme has enabled about 100,000 households to access electric cars at reduced cost.
Among the most popular models registered were the Renault 5, Renault Scenic, and Peugeot 208. The Skoda Elroq recorded the fastest growth, partly because it qualified for the leasing scheme alongside models such as the Peugeot 2008 and Volkswagen ID.4. Domestic brands dominated the rankings, occupying the top seven positions.
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Plug-in hybrid vehicles also saw modest growth, with 5,112 registrations in January, up 2.8% year on year. Combined with BEVs, plug-in vehicles accounted for about 29% of the French car market, though plug-in hybrids alone represented only 3.9%.
