Electric car sales: Tesla and MG decline, Renault takes off with its Twingo

With the end of the ecological bonus for vehicles produced outside Europe and social leasing implemented at the start of the year, the electric automobile landscape has been profoundly changed in just a few months.

As a reminder, here are the top 5 best-selling electric vehicles for the whole of 2023:

1. Tesla Model Y: 34,081 registrations
2. Dacia Spring: 27,204 registrations
3. Peugeot e-208: 21,705 registrations
4. Fiat 500e: 21,427 registrations
5. MG 4: 18,201 registrations
6. Renault Megane e-Tech: 15,981 registrations

Social leasing in action

Despite an identical number of working days (19) between May 2023 and May 2024, registrations, all energies combined, are down 2.91% with a total of 141,298 (PFA figures). However, electric sales are doing a little better in terms of market share (17% compared to 16% in May 2023) and in total number of sales (+5.4%).

In an uncertain economic context and against a backdrop of high prices for new cars, a fortiori for electric, it is obvious that government support is essential. While waiting for all these electric cars promised at bargain prices (Renault R5 E-Tech, Volkswagen ID.2 and ID.1, etc.), customers have little choice and have even fallen back on a model that was in the depths of oblivion: the Renault Twingo, saved by social leasing.

With 1,688 registrations in May 2024, it jumped 457% compared to the same period last year and took second place in the ranking. It is ahead of the Peugeot e-208 with 2,662 models sold. The podium is completed by the Renault Mégane E-Tech, 1,614 units sold.

These three models benefit fully from social leasing, since all are eligible, unlike the Tesla Model Y, which takes fourth place (1,420 deliveries) and sees its sales drop by almost 50%. Nevertheless, the SUV survives thanks to the ecological bonus which is still accessible (production in Berlin requires). This is not the case for the Dacia Spring, which despite a fairly low price only takes 90th place in the ranking, with only six sales. However, the old model has given way to the new one over this period and sales should start to rise again.

Another model which is suffering the full brunt of the loss of the ecological bonus is the MG 4. Made in China, it shows a 75% drop in sales and takes 19th place with 396 registrations (it was 4th in 2023!).

Here is the table :

Since the beginning of the year

From January to May 2024, the ranking is slightly different, since vehicles purchased at the end of 2023 have been delivered, allowing models like the MG 4 or the Volvo EX30 to post good sales, but which will change little over time. the rest of the year. On the contrary, models sold during social leasing continue to be delivered, and there is little doubt about the continued success of the Peugeot e-208.

However, the new Citroën e-C3, sold at a good price, is making a promising debut and should approach the podium during the year.

Here is the ranking: