Electric vehicle registrations: new record in August
Traditionally, August is a relatively quiet month for automobile dealerships. August 2026 did not deviate from this pattern, even though the overall automotive market grew by 7%. A total of 94,351 new passenger car registrations were recorded. Once again, this growth was driven by the strong performance of electric vehicles. 36,159 electric vehicles were put on the road, representing a 113% increase compared to August 2025. Their market share continues to rise, reaching a new high of 38%. Moreover, for the first time, electric vehicles became the most popular type of vehicle in France. At the top of the rankings, the Tesla Model Y regained its lead over the R5 E-Tech electric. Although behind Tesla, Renault still performed well with 3 models in the top 4 positions. Following them is the Citroën ë-C3.
his return to the Top 5.Electric vehicles become the leading propulsion type in France
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The Tesla Model Y Takes Back the Lead
At the top of the electric vehicle registration rankings, the competition between the Model Y and R5 continues. Overhauled by the R5 last month, the Model Y regained a significant lead in August. 4,622 units of Tesla’s SUV were registered, a figure that even allows it to claim the title of best-selling vehicle in France across all powertrains. It also helps widen its gap over the R5 E-Tech electric for the entire year 2026. With 29,658 units registered, the Model Y now has nearly 3,000 more registrations than the R5. However, just like in July, the Tesla Model 3 is not included in August’s Top 10. Produced in China, its deliveries are even more irregular than those of the Model Y manufactured in Berlin.
Overall strong performance for Renault
In August, Renault failed to repeat its July achievement of achieving a historic triple victory. The diamond-shaped brand had indeed dominated the top three positions in the electric vehicle registration rankings. Nevertheless, its overall performance for electric models remains very strong. Although there was a significant drop compared to July (3,794 registrations), the Renault 5 came in second place with 2,316 registrations. In the coming months, it will benefit from large-scale deliveries through social leasing programs, which should help narrow the gap with the Model Y by the end of the year. The Scénic finished in third place with 1,745 registrations, confirming its success among businesses. The Twingo ranked fourth with 1,574 registrations, demonstrating its strong launch performance. Finally, the Mégane also made it into the Top 10, finishing ninth.
with 937 registrations.The Citroën ë-C3 back in the Top 5
Another beneficiary of social leasing is the Citroën ë-C3, which reappears in the Top 5 with 1,443 units registered. It surpasses two SUVs from the Volkswagen group: the Skoda Elroq and the ID.4, which have 1,410 and 1,304 registrations respectively. The Peugeot e-208, which was fifth in July, drops to eighth place with only 966 registrations. It too should benefit from the impact of social leasing, but the comparison with the Renault 5 is not favorable for it. The Kia EV2, already in the Top 10 in July, remains in tenth place with 764 registrations. This compact SUV from the Korean brand confirms its strong start. Kia can also be pleased with the good performance of the EV4. Its new electric sedan recorded 681 units on French roads during August.