Nissan LEAF Jumps To #2 In France — February 2018 France Electric Car Sales Report

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The French EV passenger car market saw some 3,100 registrations in February, up 12% year over year (YoY). However, the growth comes only from PHEVs (+115%), as BEVs (-14%) continue to sit in the red (-28% this year). Are buyers holding out for the new LEAF, the Tesla Model 3, and a new Zoe?

The fact that plug-in hybrids represent 59% of sales so far this year is a shocker since this is a market once known for its BEV friendliness (in 2015, BEVs outsold PHEVs by a 3-to-1 ratio).

Nevertheless, the current plug-in vehicle share more broadly sits at 1.7%, which is on par with last year’s result, so PHEVs have at least been able to compensate the BEV slowdown.

Looking at the February best sellers, the Renault Zoe returned to four-digit results (1,155 registrations), but it was still down 26% YoY. The Nissan LEAF returned to its most natural position (#2), with 306 deliveries. That was the LEAF’s best result in 11 months.

Two plug-in hybrid models — the Volvo XC60 PHEV and VW Passat GTE — showed up in the top 5 this month, both establishing record numbers. A sign of new times in France?

Model Sales  
1 Renault Zoe 1,155
2 Nissan LEAF 306
3 BMW i3 181
4 Volvo XC60 PHEV 134
5 VW Passat GTE 131

In a market usually known for its stability, there was a lot to talk about the Zoe, the Nissan LEAF returning to second place, and the Kia Soul EV dropping three positions to #6.

Other notable stories are the VW Passat GTE’s steep rise — up five positions, from #12 to #7 — and the Smart Fortwo ED’s stumble to #9.

Finally, the Mercedes E350e had its best performance ever (79 registrations), allowing it to jump eight positions to #12.

In the brand ranking, Renault (33%) continues in the driver’s seat, followed at a distance by BMW (11%). Mercedes and Volvo, both with 8% share, are running neck and neck for the bronze medal.

EV Model February YTD EV Market Share
Renault Zoe 1,155 1,788 33%
Nissan Leaf 306 354 6%
BMW i3 181 353 6%
Volvo XC60 T8 134 248 5%
Mercedes GLC350e 97 210 4%
Kia Soul EV 73 209 4%
Volkswagen Passat GTE 131 183 3%
Mini Countryman PHEV 85 180 3%
Smart Fortwo ED 72 170 3%
BMW 225xe Active Tourer 82 152 3%
Volvo XC90 T8 51 130 2%
Mercedes E350e 79 113 2%
Mercedes C350e 43 110 2%
Porsche Panamera PHEV 54 100 2%
Peugeot iOn 41 97 2%
Hyundai Ioniq PHEV 49 90 2%
Peugeot Partner Tepee EV 45 85 2%
BMW X5 xDrive40e 31 82 1%
Citroen C-Zero 35 78 1%
Volkswagen Golf GTE 41 72 1%
Others 374 686 12%
TOTAL 3,159 5,490 100%
Source: Avere France

 


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José Pontes

Always interested in the auto industry, particularly in electric cars, Jose has been overviewed the sales evolution of plug-ins on the EV Sales blog, allowing him to gain an expert view on where EVs are right now and where they are headed in the future. The EV Sales blog has become a go-to source for people interested in electric car sales around the world. Extending that work and expertise, Jose is also market analyst on EV-Volumes and works with the European Alternative Fuels Observatory on EV sales matters.

José Pontes has 469 posts and counting. See all posts by José Pontes