Toyota, Tesla, BYD: these are the favorite cars of Uber drivers in France

During the Auto Show, Uber analyzed the tens of thousands of vehicles currently in use on its app in France. The result shows that Toyota hybrids still dominate, but Tesla is gaining ground, with each major city having its own preferences.

Toyota Remains Unbeatable, Tesla Leads in Electric Vehicles

Anyone who has ordered a ride-hailing service in Paris knows that there’s a high chance of getting a Toyota hybrid. The figures released by Uber confirm this. To create this overview, the platform analyzed the vehicles active on its app in France in 2025 and 2026.

In 2026, with 48.3% of the active fleet, Toyota accounts for nearly half of all vehicles used by platform drivers. The Japanese automaker owes its dominance to its hybrid trio: Corolla, C-HR, and Auris, which has been renamed Corolla.

Tesla holds a solid second place with 10.6% of the fleet. The Tesla Model Y is the most widely used all-electric vehicle among Uber drivers, ahead of the Tesla Model 3, which offers less space and trunk capacity. The Chinese company BYD completes the top three in the electric vehicle category with its BYD Seal sedan. Mercedes (7.3%), Kia (5.7%), and Hyundai (5.1%) round out the top five. However, Uber does not specify the distribution of engine types among these brands.

In Uber’s Premium segment, two sedan models stand out: the Mercedes Classe E and the Lexus ES, with the new generation of the latter expected by the end of the year. A few rarer vehicles also make appearances, such as Porsches or fully electric limousines.

Rank

Brand

Share of Uber’s active fleet in France (2026)

1

Toyota

48.3 %

2

Tesla

10.6 %

3

Mercedes-Benz

7.3 %

4

Kia

5.7 %

5

Hyundai

5.1 %

Each city has its own trend

Uber’s data also reveal significant geographical differences. In Paris and Lille, Toyota hybrids still dominate by a large margin. But in Lyon, the Tesla Model Y takes the top spot for the first time in 2026.

Marseille also performs well: the Model Y and Model 3 together account for nearly 20% of the active fleet there. Nice stands out with a Model Y leading, followed by a Mercedes Classe V — a logical choice for trips between the airport and the Côte d’Azur.

City

What dominates

Paris

Toyota hybrids

Lille

Toyota hybrids

Lyon

Tesla Model Y, in first place for the first time

Marseille

Tesla Model Y and Model 3, together making up nearly 20% of the fleet

Nice

Tesla Model Y, ahead of the Mercedes Classe V

And what about the electric vehicle goal?

While this ranking highlights the progress of Tesla and BYD, it raises a question that Uber avoids addressing. The platform set itself the goal of having 50% electric vehicles in France by the end of 2025, followed by 100% electric trips in major European cities by 2030. Uber does not disclose the proportion of electric vehicles in its current fleet. But with nearly half of its vehicles being Toyota models, mostly hybrids, it seems the first goal was not achieved.

To accelerate progress, Uber has nevertheless increased its efforts in recent years. This includes its 75 million euro Electric Mobility Plan, partnerships with Stellantis, Kia, and Hertz, as well as discounted charging rates through Carrefour Énergies or Electra. We have previously detailed how taxis and ride-hailing services are being encouraged to adopt electric vehicles. Examples from Lyon, Marseille, and Nice show that this transition is feasible. What remains is convincing Paris, by far the largest ride-hailing market in France.