Record Month
France registered a record 5,402 plug-in cars in March, up 41% year over year (YoY). With all plug-in drivetrains working together (fully electric cars +40%, plug-in hybrids +45%), the plug-in market was pulled up to 10,892 units in 2018, up 17% YoY.
This record month allowed the 2018 PEV share to jump to 2%, also above last year’s result.
Looking at the March best sellers, the Zoe (#24 in the mainstream market) scored its best result since it landed in 2012, with the Renault BEV scoring 2,245 deliveries. The runner-up Nissan LEAF also scoring a personal best, 719 deliveries.
Underlining the March Madness this market had, the third-place BMW i3 also scored a record result, 319 deliveries, and the #4 Tesla Model S had a best ever result (162 deliveries).
In short, all of the four top sellers in March had record numbers. Not bad, not bad at all…
| Model | Sales | |
| 1 | Renault Zoe | 2,245 |
| 2 | Nissan LEAF | 719 |
| 3 | BMW i3 | 319 |
| 4 | Tesla Model S | 162 |
| 5 | Mercedes GLC350e | 133 |
In a market known for its stability, there was a lot to talk about. Two new nameplates joined the year-to-date top 20 last month. The Tesla Model S jumped all the way up to #11, while the Hyundai Ioniq Electric (127 units, a new record) reached #15.
Other models on the rise were the Mini Countryman PHEV and the Smart Fortwo ED, climbing one position each to #7 and #8, respectively.
Peugeot’s electric siblings had a positive month as well, with the iOn registering 98 units (its best so far this year) and the Partner Tepee EV earning 110 deliveries, the nameplate’s best result so far. It seems the French automaker discovered it is missing out from the hottest segment on the market (plug-ins, of course) and is throwing into the market whatever it has in the stable. Too bad what it has is a 600 9 year old badge-engineered mini car (iOn) and a van with windows (Partner Tepee EV) that could have its own sales niche if it wasn’t hampered by a small 22.5 kWh battery in a world where the direct competitors have 33 kWh (Renault Kangoo ZE) or even 40kWh (Nissan Evalia BEV) battery packs inside.
A 22.5 kWh battery in a van sounds soooo 2011…
Below the top 20, there are a few notable mentions. The BMW 530e had a record result, with 56 registrations, while the Tesla Model X delivered 79 units, its second best result in France.
In the brand ranking, Renault (37%, up 4 percentage points) continues to be in the driver seat, followed at a distance by BMW and Nissan (both with 10%). Mercedes and Volvo then sit far below the podium, each with 5% share.
| EV Model | March | YTD | EV Market Share | |
| 1 | Renault Zoe | 2,245 | 4,033 | 37% |
| 2 | Nissan Leaf | 719 | 1,073 | 10% |
| 3 | BMW i3 | 319 | 672 | 6% |
| 4 | Volvo XC60 PHEV | 102 | 350 | 3% |
| 5 | Mercedes GLC350e | 133 | 343 | 3% |
| 6 | Kia Soul EV | 59 | 268 | 2% |
| 7 | Mini Countryman PHEV | 68 | 248 | 2% |
| 8 | Smart Fortwo ED | 77 | 247 | 2% |
| 9 | VW Passat GTE | 60 | 243 | 2% |
| 10 | Volvo XC90 PHEV | 105 | 235 | 2% |
| 11 | Tesla Model S | 162 | 209 | 2% |
| 12 | BMW 225xe Active Tourer | 50 | 202 | 2% |
| 13 | Peugeot iOn | 98 | 195 | 2% |
| 13 | Peugeot Partner Tepee EV | 110 | 195 | 2% |
| 15 | Hyundai Ioniq Electric | 127 | 191 | 2% |
| 16 | Porsche Panamera PHEV | 77 | 177 | 2% |
| 17 | Hyundai Ioniq PHEV | 79 | 169 | 2% |
| 18 | Mercedes C350e | 42 | 152 | 1% |
| 19 | BMW X5 xDrive40e | 45 | 127 | 1% |
| 20 | Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV | 83 | 126 | 1% |
| Others | 642 | 1,437 | 13% | |
| TOTAL | 5,402 | 10,892 | 100% |
Source: Avere France
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