In January 2024, the TOP sales of electric cars in France are experiencing some upheavals. Tesla’s Model Y is no longer at the top, relegated to 5th position by a certain Peugeot-208, the electric city car from the Lion brand.
As you may know, the ecological bonus was reviewed and corrected in 2024, with the introduction of the famous ecological score. This measure designed by the government aims above all to deprive electric models manufactured outside the European continent (notably in China and the United States) of ecological bonuses for the benefit of French and European “wattages”.
In fact, we necessarily expected some upheaval in the TOP 10 car sales electric in France at the start of the year. For good reason, certain extremely popular cars like the Dacia Spring or the Tesla Model 3 can no longer benefit from the government boost. The same goes for the Chinese MG4, which in return has multiplied promotions in addition to its social leasing offer at less than 100 euros per month.
So, how is the electric market doing in January 2024? According to the figures shared by our colleagues at Automobile Propre, we counted 20,017 registrations in the first month of the year, or 16.4% market share. This represents a significant increase compared to January 2023 (13.1% market share and 14,652 cars sold).
The Tesla Model Y loses its crown to the Peugeot e-208
In the context described above, namely the introduction of social leasing and the new restrictive ecological bonus, the Peugeot e-208 emerged as a winner. Indeed, the electric city car from Sochaux, which benefited from a recent overhaul, rose to the top of French sales with a total of 2,178 copies elapsed, i.e. significant increase in sales of 62.9% in one year.
We then find on the second and third step of the podium the Dacia Spring (1,937 sales) and the Tesla Model 3 (1,623 sales). Although these two models are no longer entitled to the bonus, remember that they could still benefit from it until December 15, 2023. Orders placed on time therefore probably made it possible to maintain the level of sales in January 2024, but the Things should change in February.
The Model Y, which as a reminder obtained the title of best-selling car in the world in 2023 for all engines combined, has therefore given up its crown for land in 5th place. But in our opinion, it should quickly return to the top of sales, for several reasons. First of all, the electric SUV still benefits from the ecological bonus (its production site being based in Germany at the Berlin Gigafactory), unlike the Model 3 and the Spring. Then, Tesla announced in mid-January significant price reductions for the Model Y in France. In fact, the SUV is now trading at €42,990, i.e. €37,990 with the bonus deducted. We should see without a shadow of a doubt the effects of this new price list in sales for February 2024.