Cookies utilized by Autovista24 enhance your user experience
In the first half of 2025, France's new-car market is experiencing a significant shift, with a notable decline in petrol and diesel vehicle registrations and a growing adoption of hybrid, plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
According to Marie-Laure Nivot, head of automotive market analysis at AAA Data, the market trend is becoming clearer, but demand is too weak to meet the supply. This sentiment is reflected in the figures, as overall new passenger car registrations in France decreased by around 5.6% in April 2025 and by about 7.3% year-to-date through April 2025.
Petrol car registrations in France have declined sharply, with a 38.8% decrease in April and a further 21.2% drop by the end of June, making it the steepest decline among major EU markets. Diesel registrations have also been declining, consistent with broader European trends away from diesel.
On the other hand, the electrified market is on the rise. Hybrids, PHEVs, and BEVs are gaining traction, supported by emissions regulations and incentives. Combining full and mild hybrids, registrations surged 37.7% in April, with 63,060 deliveries. Hybrids accounted for 45.1% of the total market in April, up from 28.8%, while plug-ins captured 25.3% of the overall market, up 0.9 percentage points compared to April 2024.
Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) have also seen an increase, with volumes growing by 2.4% in April, recording 25,542 registrations. Despite a 16.4% delivery decline from January to April, BEVs still managed to secure a significant 15.6% market share in H1 2025.
The overall French market contraction reflects a shift away from traditional combustion engines towards electrification, which is changing market dynamics notably: fewer total vehicle sales but a higher proportion of new energy vehicles. This trend is expected to continue as emission regulations and consumer preferences drive the growth of electric vehicles.
In summary, France's new-car market is contracting overall, driven by sharp declines in petrol and diesel registrations. However, the growing adoption of hybrids, PHEVs, and especially BEVs is increasingly reshaping the market, with electric vehicles taking a growing share and cushioning the total market decline.
The industry shift towards electric vehicles in France's new-car market is evident, as traditions in finance like petrol and diesel car ownership are diminishing. This is leading to a transformation in the transportation sector, with a growing demand for hybrid, plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Lifestyle choices are adjusting to accommodate electric automotive options, indicative of a profound shift in the automotive realm.
