France’s new-car market recorded its second straight month of growth in May, marking a rare improvement after a slow start to the year. The increase was driven almost entirely by battery-electric vehicles.
BEVs lead the recovery
New-car registrations climbed 3.7% year-on-year in May to 128,484 units, according to figures from the PFA and AAA Data. That followed a minor decline in April and an 11.1% drop in the first two months of 2026. Over the first five months, the market stands at 668,379 units sold, just 4,321 fewer than the same period last year.
All-electric models accounted for the bulk of the gains. Registrations jumped 92.7% in May to 37,415 units, nearly double the total from May 2025. Year-to-date, deliveries reached 185,714 units, making up 27.8% of the market.
No other powertrain matched this performance. Plug-in hybrids fell 6.5% in May, while hybrids dropped 4.8%.
Incentives boost electric adoption
The French government is expanding support for electric mobility. In April, officials set a target for domestic manufacturers to produce 400,000 electric vehicles annually by 2027, increasing to one million by 2030. A third social leasing program, covering 50,000 additional BEVs, will launch in June. Another 50,000 subsidized models are planned for 2026, aimed at high-mileage drivers such as nurses and tradespeople.
Related: UK new LCV market sees modest growth in May
These steps have made BEVs the only powertrain to post monthly gains every month this year. Combined with plug-in hybrids, electrified vehicles reached 35.1% of May’s market, up 12.8 points from 2025. Over five months, their share stands at 33.1%.
Hybrids still lead the market with a 40.4% share in May, though growth has been inconsistent. Plug-in hybrids have declined in four of the past five months, dropping 4.8% overall.
If demand for electric vehicles weakens, the market may lack an alternative source of growth. Government leasing programs and production targets assume steady adoption, but consumer interest remains uncertain. A change in policy or economic conditions could leave automakers vulnerable.
The coming months will show whether the current momentum holds. For now, the recovery appears fragile, supported by one powertrain and significant government intervention.