French car parc reaches 40 million vehicles

As of January 1, 2026, France’s car parc reached 40 million vehicles, marking a 0.4 percent increase from the previous year, according to the Service des données et études statistiques (SDES). This growth occurs despite a 5.2 percent drop in new car sales in 2025.

Households keep older thermal cars longer

The increase in the total number of vehicles is due to households keeping their traditional gasoline and diesel cars longer, as new car prices have risen significantly. This trend has created a noticeable difference in vehicle ages and types across regions.

Electric cars struggle to gain traction

Electric motorizations are still struggling to become widespread on French roads. The departments of Creuse and Indre are among the most resistant to the electric transition. Data from Crit’Air stickers, which classify vehicles by pollution levels, shows a clear regional divide in vehicle types and emissions.

Regional differences in vehicle pollution levels

Nationally, vehicles classified as Crit’Air 1, the cleanest category, now make up 38.0 percent of the fleet, while Crit’Air 2 vehicles account for 34.2 percent. However, 24.3 percent of the fleet still consists of more polluting models classified as Crit’Air 3 or higher. In the Creuse, Indre, and Ariège, over 36 percent of vehicles fall into this higher pollution category.

Thermal cars still dominate the fleet

Thermal models, including both gasoline and diesel vehicles, still represent 86.1 percent of the French car parc. Diesel cars remain the most common, making up 46.1 percent of the fleet, though their share has decreased from previous years.

Electric and hybrid vehicles grow but remain small

Electric vehicles make up only 3.5 percent of the total fleet, despite accounting for nearly 20 percent of new car sales in 2025. Non-rechargeable hybrids are at 7.4 percent, while rechargeable hybrids are at 2.0 percent. Simple gasoline hybrids are growing, now reaching 7.0 percent of the fleet.

French cars are getting older and driven less

The average age of a car in France is 11.8 years, up from 11.4 years in 2025. Cars being scrapped are, on average, 20 years old, with diesel engines lasting slightly longer. French drivers are also driving less, with an average annual mileage of 11,600 kilometers in 2025, a 1.0 percent decrease from the previous year.

Long-term decline in driving continues

The average annual mileage has been decreasing for years, with a 10.0 percent drop since 2011. The decline continued in 2025, with mileage still 7.3 percent below pre-pandemic levels from 2019. This trend is expected to continue into 2026, partly due to rising fuel prices.