Renault Twingo Tops France's EV Sales as Electric Hits 41%

Electric cars made up 41% of new vehicle registrations in France in October 2026, according to AAA Data figures published on 1 November. That means 61,958 new electric cars out of 149,341 registrations, in a market up 7% year on year. September had already reached 41.6%, so two months in a row now, four in ten new cars sold in France have no fuel tank. A year ago the share was 24%, and over the first ten months of 2026 it stands at 32%, or 449,294 registrations.

Private buyers and social leasing drive growth

Private individuals account for much of the surge: 37,746 of October's electric registrations, around six in ten, were in their name. Social leasing plays a big part. This subsidised long-term rental scheme for lower-income households opened orders for its third edition on 16 July 2026, and cars ordered over the summer are now being delivered. At the pump, AAA Data puts diesel at about €2.30 per litre and SP95-E10 at €2.12. Over twelve months, petrol car registrations fell 44% and diesel 65%.

Twingo first, Model Y drops

The new Renault Twingo E-Tech took first place with 4,747 registrations, 81 more than the Renault 5 (4,666). It starts at €19,490 before incentives and from €130 a month under social leasing, the lowest rent in Renault's range. The Peugeot E-208 was third with 3,221, and the Scénic E-Tech fourth with 3,037. With the Renault 4 in seventh (1,786), the four Renault models totalled 14,236 cars, or 23% of the electric market. Yet Renault Group overall, including Dacia and Alpine, fell 4.1% to 34,730 registrations. Eight of the top ten models wear a French badge; the Kia EV2 debuted in ninth with 1,506.

The Tesla Model Y fell from 8,183 registrations in September, when it was first, to 1,748 in October, a 79% monthly drop. This pattern recurs each quarter, as Tesla concentrates deliveries at quarter-end. Year on year, the Model Y was actually up 6.2%. The Model 3 managed 662 registrations and 28th place.

Over the year to date, the Model Y still leads with 39,589 registrations, ahead of the Renault 5 at 36,662, a gap of 2,927 with two months left, which are typically strong for Tesla deliveries. The Scénic is third at 23,559, while the Twingo is fourth with 19,226.