A historic shift was recorded in the French automotive market: in corporate fleet registrations, electric vehicles overtook diesel, petrol, and hybrids for the first time, becoming the top choice for businesses. This result confirms the ongoing direction toward zero-emission mobility in the professional sector.

According to data from the Arval Mobility Observatory, French companies registered 16,255 electric vehicles in May, including both passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. This represents a 121% increase compared to the same month in 2025.

The share of battery-electric models reached 32.5% of total corporate registrations. Considering passenger cars alone, the figure exceeds 42%. For the first time, therefore, electric powertrains became the most chosen option among fleets in a single month.

The significance of this result is even greater when viewed in the broader market context, which remains slightly in decline: total fleet registrations stood at 50,003 units, marking a 2.6% year-on-year decrease.

This overtaking is not an isolated phenomenon. In the first five months of 2026, electric vehicle registrations in French corporate fleets increased by 70.5% compared to the same period the previous year.

Between January and May, the electric share reached 29.6% of the market, now close to diesel and hybrids, both around 30%. Corporate fleets therefore confirm their role as a leading indicator of automotive market trends, as companies base their decisions primarily on total cost of ownership rather than emotional factors.

The growth of electric vehicles is happening at the expense of all other powertrains. In May, plug-in hybrids fell by 26.3%, while traditional hybrids and mild hybrids also recorded significant declines. The drop in conventional engines was even sharper: petrol decreased by 36.2% and diesel by 21.3% compared to the same period in 2025.

Incentives and regulations behind the transition

The shift is not only technological but also regulatory and economic. In France, the spread of electric fleets has been accelerated by targeted public policies: progressive electrification requirements, incentives linked to energy savings certificates (CEE), new corporate vehicle tax rules, and CO₂-based taxation systems. These measures have made battery-electric vehicles increasingly competitive compared to traditional alternatives.

What is happening in France may anticipate developments in other European markets. Corporate fleets play a key role in the energy transition: they generate large registration volumes and later feed the used-car market, helping to spread electric mobility among private consumers as well. The French case is therefore not only a statistical record but also a possible model for the transformation of corporate mobility in Europe.

Innovative technologies for the production and recycling of electric and hybrid vehicles for the automotive, transport, and industrial sectors will be presented at E-Tech Europe, taking place from 7 to 9 October 2026 at BolognaFiere as part of Urban Tech 2026 The Urban Tech Technology Show, the new event dedicated to e-mobility, traffic, commuting, security, telecom & data, and environment.