In 2025, the Renault and Stellantis groups are confirming that the energy transition in the European automotive industry is not just a matter of radical technological bets. In France, as in the main European markets, the electric and hybrid vehicles of French manufacturers are performing strongly, supported by an assertive multi-energy mix, encouraging public policies and a product range that is now mature. It’s a measurable success, documented by figures from the CCFA and ACEA, and by official communications from the two industrial giants.
An effervescent dynamic
The French car market in 2025 confirms a major trend. Electrification is no longer marginal; it now forms the core of sales. According to figures from the Comité des Constructeurs Français d’Automobiles (CCFA), 100% electric passenger cars accounted for 26% of registrations in November, an unprecedented level. Electrified models (electric and hybrid) alone now account for almost half of the national market.
In this context, Renault and Stellantis appear to be the main beneficiaries of this changeover. The Renault 5 E-Tech has become a symbol of this success, taking the lead in electric sales thanks in particular to the social leasing scheme, which has extended access to electric vehicles to new target groups. As for Stellantis, the Peugeot and Citroën brands dominate the hybrid segment, both rechargeable and non-rechargeable, confirming the appeal of a gradual rather than abrupt transition.
Public policy and product positioning
France’s performance cannot be dissociated from the regulatory and political context. Social leasing, which has been renewed and extended to 2025, has played an accelerating role, particularly for electric city cars produced in Europe. Renault, with the 5 E-Tech, and Stellantis with the Citroën ë-C3, have been able to offer models that are compatible with the price and usage criteria imposed by the government.
This success is also due to a clear strategic choice: to maintain a coherent multi-energy offering. While some manufacturers have opted for all-electric vehicles in the short term, the French groups have continued to invest massively in hybrids, responding to infrastructure constraints and the real needs of motorists. This pragmatism is reflected directly in sales figures.
Renault Group: controlled growth
At European level, Renault Group’s trajectory for 2025 is particularly clear. In the third quarter, the group announced a 3.8% rise in sales, with 1.7 million vehicles sold worldwide. In France, 60% of sales are now electrified, while in Europe 100% electric vehicles recorded spectacular growth of 122%, representing 13.5% of the mix. This momentum is largely due to the success of city cars and compact vehicles. The Renault 5 E-Tech and Scenic E-Tech are absolute benchmarks in their segment. They combine energy efficiency, distinctive design and cost control. Added to this is the arrival of new hybrid models, such as the Symbioz, which are consolidating volumes in a market that is still very heterogeneous in terms of needs.
Renault is making no secret of its long-term ambitions. The group is maintaining its objective of carbon neutrality in Europe by 2040, well ahead of regulatory requirements. This strategy is based on a gradual but massive electrification of the range, coupled with a partial relocation of production and better control of the value chain, particularly around batteries and recycling. Against a backdrop of increasing competition, particularly from Asia, this approach will enable Renault to consolidate its position as Europe’s third-largest manufacturer of electrified vehicles, while limiting the industrial risks associated with too rapid a transition to all-electric vehicles.
Stellantis: European hybrid champion
For its part, Stellantis is claiming an equally structuring performance, but with a different positioning. By the end of August 2025, the group had registered 1.65 million cars in the EU30, making it the leader in the hybrid segment with a market share of 18%. Peugeot and Citroën are doing particularly well, especially on the French and Italian markets. Electric models are not to be outdone either, with the Peugeot e-208 and the Citroën ë-C3 among the best-sellers in their category, the latter posting spectacular growth of 156% in Europe, with more than 26,000 units sold. This success demonstrates the relevance of an affordable electric range designed for the heart of the market.
Stellantis also stands out in the strategic light commercial vehicle segment. In France, the Group has a 43% market share of electric LCVs, a dominance reinforced by the Pro One range. Models such as the e-Expert and ë-Berlingo now incorporate V2G technology, enabling electricity to be fed back into the grid. This technological step forward confirms Stellantis’ leading position with professional fleets, a key segment for meeting European targets for reducing CO₂ emissions while guaranteeing stable volumes.
2035 in sight
As we approach 2035, Renault and Stellantis are defending a realistic transition. Far from ideological rhetoric, the two groups are adapting their strategy to the economic, social and industrial realities of the continent. By 2025, their performance will show that electrification « à la française » can combine volume, profitability and compliance with environmental standards. It’s a gradual but effective approach that could serve as a model for a Europe still seeking to strike a balance between climate ambitions and market acceptability.
Sources: @Stellantis – @RenaultGroup – @CCFA – @ACEA @Stellantis – @RenaultGroup – @CCFA – @ACEA
