Which EV?

France Just Put Tesla in the Rearview Mirror

ICYMI: There’s a new EV boss in town…and it’s not the one with the fanboys, flame-throwers, or Mars missions.

It’s Renault. Oui, that Renault.

According to Numerama, Tesla’s days at the top of the French EV leaderboard might be over. Yep, the country that brought us croissants and couture is now serving a big ol’ plate of humble pie to Elon & Co.

What’s the Buzz?

Renault, once seen as a sleepy legacy carmaker, has officially pulled ahead of Tesla as France’s #1 electric vehicle brand. And we’re not just talking one model—we’re talking an entire French takeover of the EV top spots.

Here’s the leaderboard as of April 2025:

• Renault 5 e-Tech – The compact cutie that just clocked 2,267 registrations last month (over 11,000 so far this year).
• Renault Scénic e-Tech – The family-friendly ride making waves after a slow start, now sitting comfortably in second place.
• Citroën e-C3 – Another French-made, budget-friendly EV rounding out the all-local podium.

Sorry, Model 3 and Model Y, you’re officially on the b-list.

Why Is This Happening?

Turns out the French like to buy local, especially when it saves them money. Here’s why Renault and Citroën are suddenly the belle of the EV ball:

• Price Tags That Don’t Make You Gasp
  While Tesla’s still slinging luxury price points, Renault’s offering budget-friendly models like the Renault 5 e-Tech that make electric driving accessible to everyday drivers.
• Home Team Advantage
  French automakers are getting extra love from government incentives, making them even more wallet-friendly compared to imports like Tesla.
• Goodbye, Gas Guzzlers
  France is doubling down on climate policies. Local brands that tick the “sustainable and affordable” boxes are getting the win.

Should Tesla Be Worried?

Well… kinda.

While Tesla still dominates globally, this shift in France is a pretty big deal. It shows that legacy automakers aren’t just catching up—they’re starting to lead.

And let’s not forget:

• Renault is scaling fast.
• Citroën is targeting the budget market.
• And other European automakers are eyeing the same game.

Meanwhile, Tesla’s European sales are slowing down, and its premium pricing is starting to look… less sexy.

What’s Next?

Will Renault keep its crown? Will Tesla clap back with another price drop? Will other markets follow France’s lead?

Stay tuned, because Europe’s EV race is far from over.

What we do know:

• EV affordability is getting real.
• Homegrown brands are stepping up.
• And consumers are finally getting options that don’t require choosing between their budget and the planet.

The Bottom Line

Tesla may have built the hype, but Renault just proved that electric doesn’t have to mean expensive. And if the rest of Europe follows France’s lead, we could see a total EV market shake-up.

Grab your baguette. This EV race just got très intéressant.

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