Peugeot 208, Tesla Model Y, Twingo… sales of electric cars are falling in Provence

Now it’s confirmed: across Europe, electric cars are having difficulty attracting new car buyers. According to data presented by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), these models represented a market share of 13% in March in the Old Continent. Or less than the 14.6% recorded at the end of 2023.

This evaluation of the European mix is ​​mainly caused by the end of the ecological bonus in Germany. In France, the financial support for the purchase of an electric car has been reduced by €1,000 for the wealthiest households, but it still applies. So much so that the electric car market seems less complicated.

In the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, electric vehicles represented 26% of the new market in March, or 3,376 registrations according to data from AAA Data. The trend is downward, as this represents an increase of only 2% in one year. Across France, the increase is even greater. Electricity saw an 11% increase in sales in March. But this engine represents 19% of the market, with 33,981 vehicles registered.

In the region, as everywhere in France, it is hybrid cars that attract buyers. Allowing you to drive at low speeds in electric mode, or sometimes even travel several kilometers without using the gasoline engine, these models are intended to be more versatile than electric ones. In Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, again according to AAA Data, hybrids represent 34% of the market. The number has increased by 9% compared to March 2023. In France, the hybrid represents 37% of the market, with a 23% increase in registrations in one year.

While new car registrations are therefore moving towards electrified models, petrol engines are suffering. In Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, sales of petrol cars fell by 25%, from March 2023 to March 2024. Diesel models – already phased out last year – saw their market share drop by 28%. The two engines represent respectively 30 and 6% of the regional market. All engines combined, the market experienced an 8% decline in March, compared to the previous year.

It is difficult not to consider “social rental” as a savior of electric vehicle registration in France and Provence. Allowing you to rent an electric car for around €100 per month, depending on income, this government system has enabled the registration of 50,000 vehicles since the beginning of the year.

In Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, several models eligible for this lease are therefore leading the way in the best-selling electric car space. In March, the electric Peugeot 208 came out on top, with 378 registrations in the region. It is followed by the Renault Twingo E-Tech, which the manufacturer wanted to sell shares at an offer of €40 per month. 359 models registered in March. Other cars from “social rental” are found lower in the scale, such as the electric Fiat 500 (registration 257), Peugeot e-2008 (registration 230), as well as the Renault Megane E-Tech (registration 198) .

Sales from the system can be spread throughout the year, depending on delivery dates. In our region, the market may improve at the end of the year, with the release of expected models, such as the electric Renault 5 and the Citroën ë-C3.