New electric and hybrid cars attract more motorists to France. According to the latest data, the share of new electrified vehicles for January-August exceeded 20% (20.1%). The figure, which was previously unattainable on the French market, confirms thiscustomer appetite for new electrified models.

Electric cars are popular, hybrids are still stagnant

The first observation in the last eight months, sales of new electric cars are exploding. According to data from manufacturers and the Automotive Platform, 100% of electric cars reach 12.2% of the total number of registrations in France since the beginning of the year. That figure has risen sharply in recent months, partly due to the continued support offered by the government. Manufacturers also highlighted new electrified models, pity the new thermal models. Strong media coverage of the next ban on the sale of thermal cars in 2035 also pushed motorists to switch to electricity.

As for hybrid vehicles, the situation remains ambiguous. New hybrid electric cars make up 7.8% of the car fleet. The backlog for 100% electric cars continues to grow in recent months. Moreover, the vast majority of sales of new plug-in hybrid cars are made by companies (75% of registrations since the beginning of the year). The fact that government agencies are less and less supportive of these vehicles is also dissuading customers from switching to this engine. And this, despite a increase in supply from manufacturers.

One last interesting figure: electrified vehicles have now significantly outnumbered diesel vehicles in the French car market. New electrified cars account for 20.1% of the market share vs 16.7% for diesels.

Here we are driving the new Peugeot e-208 (100% electric)! pic.twitter.com/GfcM14HW7v

— AutoPlus (@AutoPlusMag) October 2, 2019

Peugeot is the leader of electrified cars in France

In France, it is the Peugeot brand that attracts the most customers with its electrified vehicles. As for electric cars, then Peugeot e-208 is the leader in registrations with 11,970 units were sold from January 1. She stands right in front Fiat 500e, sold 11,185 copies. Rounding out the podium is Dacia Spring with 10,852 units sold.

In terms of the plug-in hybrid car market, the Lion brand and the Stellantis group in general account for the majority of sales. Thus, in the first place is the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid, sold in a circulation of 7,080 units. Takes second place new Peugeot 308 Hybrid (4,206 registrations since January) and in third place Citroën C5 Aircross Hybrid, sold 3,531 units. Cars of the Stellantis group are quite clearly ahead of their competitors, as they secure the 4th position Renault Captur E-Tech, 2,100 units were sold.

Prices are still very high

If electric cars continue to gain market share in France, the price of the latter is still very high. As for city electric cars, the price is sometimes twice as high as the thermal version. This is, for example, the case for Peugeot e-208 is presented at a price of 33,000 euros while the thermal version starts with 16,400 euros. Prices for electric cars in general remain very high and therefore unaffordable for a large part of motorists, despite the assistance.

The same goes for plug-in hybrid vehicles. If mixed consumption can seem very attractive, when the battery is dead, these vehicles consume a lot, sometimes more than conventional thermal vehicles. WITH much higher fuel budget provided that.

It remains to be seen how the prices of electrified cars will develop in the coming months. Especially since the energy crisis that France and Europe are experiencing can shuffle the registration cards.