Corporate fleets: Electric vehicles saw a 57% surge in September
The corporate fleet market continued to decline in September 2026, with registrations falling by 4% year-on-year. This downturn was offset by a dramatic increase in 100% electric models, whose registrations surged by 57%. They now account for more than one in three vehicles delivered to businesses.
French companies are purchasing fewer vehicles, but they are increasingly shifting toward electric options. According to the latest report from Arval Mobility Observatory, 60,742 passenger cars and light commercial vehicles were registered in corporate fleets in September 2026, representing a 4% decline from the previous year.
This situation contrasts with that of the private market. During the same period, registrations for private vehicles increased by 26.22%. This difference in growth has reduced the share of fleet vehicles in France’s automobile market to 33.85% since the beginning of the year.
Market in September 2026
Year-over-year change
Corporate fleets
-4 %
Private individuals
+26.22 %
Private cars in fleets
+0.36 %
Light commercial vehicles in fleets
-11.06 %
A fleet market affected negatively by light commercial vehicles
The main weakness remains the light commercial vehicle. In September, registrations of such vehicles in France dropped by 11.06%, to 21,405 units. Private cars fare much better, with 39,337 registrations and a slight increase of 0.36%.
In the first nine months of 2026, the trend remains similar. Fleet registrations totaled 502,659, representing a 3.4% decline. Light commercial vehicles saw a 5.12% drop, while passenger cars limited their decline to 2.3%.
Meanwhile, the overall French automotive market grew by 2.3%, with 1,484,601 registrations. This recovery was largely driven by consumers returning to dealerships.
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Electric vehicles surged by 57% and now account for over a third of all registrations
Behind this overall decline, electric vehicles stand out as the exception. While soaring fuel prices place a heavy burden on professionals’ budgets, 20,507 fully electric vehicles were delivered to businesses in September, representing a 57% increase year-over-year.
In September, electric vehicles accounted for 33.76% of the entire fleet market. Among private cars alone, their share exceeds 43%. In other words, more than four out of ten private cars registered by businesses now run solely on electricity.
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Gasoline, diesel, and hybrids… the “traditional” fuels on the decline
The growing popularity of electric vehicles naturally affects performance for other fuel types. Gasoline usage dropped by 30.11%, while diesel usage fell by 23.54%. Rechargeable hybrids saw a 27.53% decline, conventional hybrids by 6.82%, and micro-hybrids by 13%.
In the first nine months of the year, electric vehicles were the only fuel type to show growth. Registrations surged by 71.66% to 153,868 units, accounting for 30.61% of the market share.
With a 30.61% market share since January, electric vehicles have now surpassed diesel, which has dropped to 28.63%. This is a significant milestone for a market that has long been one of the main markets for internal combustion engines.
A shift that could soon transform the used car market
This acceleration affects not only the new vehicle market. It could also have direct consequences for the used car market in the coming years. Companies and rental firms typically replace their vehicles after three to four years of use.
The electric vehicles currently widely used in fleets should gradually make their way into the used market. This trend could enable individuals to access more recent electric vehicles at prices lower than those of new ones. The accelerated electrification of businesses could thus become one of the main drivers of the development of used electric vehicles in France.
