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

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 Paris 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Here are the Top 20 electric cars in France :

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