The Citroën e-C3 beats Tesla's Model Y: funny month for electric cars

The podium for electric cars registered in October presents three French models from different brands, which is rare. Behind this pretty portrait lies a slight wake-up call with a hangover for the market.

The end-of-quarter effect is particularly felt this year on the electric car market. After a boost in September with the best figures to complete the third quarter, the following month appears like the day after a party with a pretty solid hangover. It is therefore not abnormal to see that the month of October 2024 stands out with 20,899 registrations of electric cars, compared to 28,265 in September. The difference with the same month in 2023 is a little harsher with a drop of 18% recorded.

However, it is premature to conclude that there is a lasting crisis for electric vehicles. Registrations only concern the visible side of the iceberg, not the orders yet to be processed by the manufacturers. Moreover, the entire automobile market fell by 11% in October while the Motor Show restarted order intake. Numerama has dissected the registration statistics, published by AAA Data on November 1, to take stock of this strange month of October.

Statistical monitoring of electric car registrations (October 2024) // Source: Raphaelle Baut for Numerama

The Citroën ë-C3 takes first place in the ranking

This is not the first time this year that the registration podium has been dominated 100% by French brands. This was already the case in April and May. However, this is the first time that we have had a podium with three different brands: Citroën, Peugeot and Renault.

After second place last month, the Citroën ë-C3 takes the lead with 1,712 registrations. However, the pace has slowed down (for different reasons) compared to the sprint in September. However, Citroën can savor this first place, which it would never have dared to hope for with the rest of the range.

Delivery of the first Citroën ë-C3 // Source: Thierry Koskas - Citroën directorDelivery of the first Citroën ë-C3 // Source: Thierry Koskas - Citroën director
Delivery of the first Citroën ë-C3 in September // Source: Thierry Koskas – Citroën director

The Renault Scénic e-tech comes in second place in the ranking. Little by little, the model increases its registration volume. With 1,675 vehicles, this is its best month, although it can still improve. This model deserves a little more public attention.

The indestructible Peugeot e-208 climbs to third place with 1,239 units. It is still the best seller of the year with 22,085 registrations over the first ten months of the year, but the Model Y is not far behind. Tesla Model Y only comes in fourth place in October, with 1,185 new vehicles put on the roads.

Peugeot e-208 version 2023 // Source: PeugeotPeugeot e-208 version 2023 // Source: Peugeot
The Peugeot e-208 is still leading the 2024 cumulative ranking // Source: Peugeot

The top 20 electric cars of the month of October

Renault still managed to place three of its models in the top 10, even if the registrations of the Renault 5 in sixth place are still intended for professionals. Deliveries to customers will not take long for the Renault 5, which we hope to see at the top of the ranking from the start of 2025.

Test of the Renault 5 e-tech // Source: Raphaelle Baut for NumeramaTest of the Renault 5 e-tech // Source: Raphaelle Baut for Numerama
Registrations currently only concern professionals // Source: Raphaelle Baut for Numerama

Several models usually in the lead continue to drop out, notably the Fiat 500e (14th), the Model 3 (15th) or the Dacia Spring (26th) which are still arriving slowly.

To stay with the models that probably don't work as expected, there is the Peugeot e-3008. Even if the Peugeot e-3008 achieves its best position in October, it is only twelfth with 594 registrations. With the information available, it is difficult to know if production of electric versions is limited or if customers are not there. In September, e-3008s represented only 15% of the model's registrations.

Test of the Peugeot e-3008 // Source: Raphaelle Baut for NumeramaTest of the Peugeot e-3008 // Source: Raphaelle Baut for Numerama
Test of the Peugeot e-3008 // Source: Raphaelle Baut for Numerama

Among the surprises of October: this is the first time that the Volkswagen ID.4 appears in the Top 10. After a long slump, the model is regaining some appeal among the French public, even if it benefits also the lack of registrations of other popular vehicles. Just ahead of it, the BMW iX1 seems to be enjoying the French Top 10, closed by the Skoda Enyaq.

While pointing out the incongruities of the October ranking, it should be noted that the Porsche Macan still ranks sixteenth, ahead of the MG4, the Peugeot e-2008, the Jeep Avenger or the Fiat 600e. Part of these registrations must however concern Porsche dealerships, but deliveries to customers have already started.

Porsche Macan 4 // Source: PorschePorsche Macan 4 // Source: Porsche
Porsche Macan ranks in the TOP 20 for October: surprising! // Source: Porsche

Here are the Top 20 electric cars in :

Registrations in October 2024
CITROËN – E-C3 1 712
RENAULT – SCENIC 1 675
PEUGEOT – e208 1 239
TESLA – MODEL Y 1 185
RENAULT – MEGANE-E 958
RENAULT – RENAULT 5 782
MINI – MINI 676
B.M.W. – IX1 674
VOLKSWAGEN – ID.4 657
SKODA – ENYAQ 621
CUPRA – BORN 600
PEUGEOT – e3008 594
VOLKSWAGEN – ID.3 577
FIAT – 500 575
TESLA – MODEL 3 543
PORSCHE – MACAN 422
PEUGEOT – e2008 414
M.G. – MG4 404
RENAULT – TWINGO 400
B.M.W. – IX2 338
source : AAA Data

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