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Used EV Demand Trends in France: What Car Dealers Should Know
Discover the latest trends in used EV demand in France and learn how car dealers can profit by stocking the right electric vehicles.
Key takeaways
- Used EV demand is growing in France, especially in urban areas where clean air regulations like Crit’Air push buyers toward low-emission vehicles.
- French buyers prefer practical and affordable models from brands they already know, such as Renault, Peugeot, and Dacia, which are great options to keep in stock.
- EVs still cost more upfront, but used ones are becoming more affordable and easier to sell, especially with the right models and good battery health.
- With tools like eCarsTrade, it’s easy to find and buy quality used EVs and keep your business moving.
More and more buyers across Europe are turning to electric vehicles. Whether they’re doing it for environmental reasons or to take advantage of EV tax benefits and incentives in 2025, the fact is that demand for EVs is growing.
This trend matters for the used market too. As more new EVs hit the roads, more of them also enter the second-hand market, giving used car traders more stocking opportunities.
If you’re running a French-based used car dealership, you’re likely asking if selling used EVs can be profitable. That’s why we’ll look at French used electric car trends, and you’ll be able to spot where the demand is, which models sell well, and what buyers really want. We’ll start with a general EV market overview.
EV market in France in 2024 - in a nutshell
2024 was a good, stable year for EVs in France. The European Alternative Fuels Observatory reports that a total of 291,143 BEVs were registered that year, showing a strong interest from buyers.
The trend continued into early 2025, as electric vehicles made up 19.4% of new car sales in January 2025. These are clear signs of EV growth in France.
So, if you’re not stocking EVs yet, it’s time to start.
Ex-lease and trade-in EVs, especially battery electric vehicles (BEVs), are becoming available on the market, so you have better access, better prices, and more models to choose from.
Regional differences in EV adoption
Of course, not every part of France is the same when it comes to EV adoption. For instance, rural areas or areas with poor charging infrastructure may not be ideal for selling EVs yet.
That’s why EVs sell better in urban areas with:
- Dense populations
- High traffic
- Charging infrastructure
- Strict air quality regulations
One important reason behind this is the Crit’Air system, which ranks vehicles by their emissions and limits access to certain city areas for older, more polluting cars.
In places like Paris and the Greater Paris Area only low-emission vehicles (like EVs) can move freely. This means more people are looking to buy them, and it’s a good time for dealers to start stocking and selling used electric cars in these regions.
Most popular used EV models in France
So, what kinds of EVs do French buyers like? Currently, the list of top sellers as of 2025 shows that they prefer practical and affordable electric cars.
Image source: European Alternative Fuels Observatory
You can also see that most of the top-selling models come from French manufacturers. Renault, Peugeot, and Citroën all have multiple models on the list.
For car traders, that means stocking well-known French models is a safe bet, as buyers are already familiar with them and trust the brands.
And when it comes to choosing used cars to stock, many of these models have already been on the market for several years, like Peugeot e-208, Dacia Spring, or Tesla Model 3. This means that you can find their used versions at good prices, especially from fleet returns and trade-ins.
What impacts the demand for EVs in France?
Some of the common reasons why buyers choose electric vehicles include:
- Lower fuel costs
- Environmental concerns
- Quieter driving experience
In France specifically, there are some additional factors that motivate buyers to opt for EVs.
The Crit’Air regulations that we’ve mentioned above create a strong demand for cleaner vehicles. After all, people want to move freely and avoid driving restrictions, especially in urban areas where access is limited for high-emission cars.
Then there’s also the Malus tax, which is part of automotive taxes in France.
This tax adds a large one-time fee to new cars with high CO₂ emissions, making internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles more expensive. In comparison, EVs are exempt from the Malus tax, which makes them a much more attractive option in that regard.
And if you’re selling to company fleets, you should know that businesses in France don’t pay the annual vehicle tax (formerly TVS) when using fully electric vehicles. That lowers the overall cost and makes EVs more attractive for company use.
Price dynamics - used EVs vs used ICE cars
Although there are incentives and benefits for EVs, it’s still true that electric vehicles are more expensive to buy. You can understand the market better by comparing the factors that influence the value and cost-effectiveness of used EVs.
Depreciation rate differences
Historically, EVs have depreciated faster than ICE vehicles because of rapid technological advancements and battery degradation concerns. However, the gap is starting to narrow and used EVs entering the market are keeping their value better than they used to.
Price gap between new and used EVs
The average price of a new EV in Europe is €45,000. The steep price means that many private buyers, especially those with limited budgets, turn to the used market instead, where they find used cars at half the price.
So, what can we conclude from these dynamics?
While EVs are still more expensive up front and tend to lose value faster than petrol or diesel cars, the used EV market is becoming more attractive. This is an opportunity for traders to stock EVs and meet local demand, and for buyers to access electric vehicles at more affordable prices.
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Which opportunities and advantages do you have as a used car dealer?
Demand is growing, infrastructure is improving, and French buyers are consistently expressing interest in EVs.
If you’re selling used EVs, that puts you in the position to offer buyers a more affordable alternative to new electric cars, and that’s something many customers are actively looking for.
The best part is that you can easily source ex-lease EVs internationally, meaning that you can expand your stock and stand out from competitors who are slower to enter the electric market.
Essentially, the sooner you start offering used EVs, the sooner you can tap into a growing market and make profits.
Potential challenges and solutions
Still, before rushing to buy more EVs than you can sell, you should prepare for a few common challenges that come with selling electric vehicles.
Some customers may be concerned about EV depreciation rates. In that case, it’s good to focus on selling well-maintained, recent models with solid battery health. State of battery health certificates may be helpful, too.
You can also highlight the lower running costs and government support that make up for the faster depreciation.
Then, make sure you get familiar with the charging infrastructure.
Limited charging options may deter some buyers, so you should provide information on local charging options to encourage the transition to EVs. Selling long-range models can also help reduce concerns about charging and make EVs more appealing.
Get the best deals on used EVs on eCarsTrade
Alright, the market sounds promising, so your next move should be sourcing used EVs. To make the process as smooth as possible, you can use eCarsTrade, an auction platform for used vehicles designed especially for professional car traders.
You can browse and bid on used EVs from across Europe through easy-to-use online auctions. Want to focus only on electric cars? Just filter by fuel type, brand, mileage, or condition to find exactly what you’re looking for.
Once you find the right cars for your needs, you can handle the payment, paperwork, and logistics within the platform.
That way, you can have control over your stock, save time, and have better access to well-maintained ex-lease EVs at competitive prices.
eCarsTrade is not just an online auction platform - we are also a valuable resource for car dealers and traders. Our blog offers expert advice on various topics, including:
