What data allows us to measure the ongoing changes in the automotive world in 2026? Between the rise of the used electric vehicle market, new transparency requirements regarding batteries, and the models unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, indicators are multiplying. Three structuring axes emerge, each supported by recent figures.
Used Electric Vehicle Market in France: Key Figures to Compare
The market for used electric cars is experiencing measurable acceleration. The table below compares transaction volumes over the documented periods.
| Period | Used Electric Transactions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Year 2024 | Approximately 137,000 (calculation base) | Reference |
| Year 2025 | 177,886 vehicles | +30% compared to 2024 |
| Q2 2026 | 72,244 transactions | Upward trend maintained |
These data, compiled by Avere-France and Mobilians and relayed by the Paris Motor Show in September 2026, show a gradual shift. The volume of just the second quarter of 2026 already represents more than a third of the total annual 2025.
Several factors are fueling this dynamic. Prices for used electric models are decreasing as the supply of two- or three-year-old vehicles increases, notably due to leasing returns. Buyers who hesitated due to the cost of a new electric vehicle are now finding alternatives on actualite-voitures.fr and across the entire professional distribution network.
Battery Transparency and European Regulation: What Changes for the Buyer
One of the historical barriers to purchasing a used electric vehicle remains the uncertainty about the actual state of the battery. Two recent developments are changing the game.
SoH Display in Professional Networks
Since September 2026, several French manufacturers and distributors have been displaying the SoH (state of health) of the battery during sales in professional networks. This data, expressed as a percentage of the initial capacity, directly addresses the main concern of buyers, often more decisive than the theoretical range announced for new vehicles.
The initiative is currently voluntary, but it creates a commercial precedent. A seller who does not communicate the SoH finds themselves at a disadvantage compared to a competitor who does.
Digital Battery Passport Starting February 2027
The European regulation 2023/1542 mandates that from February 18, 2027, new traction batteries and certain refurbished packs must have a digital identifier. The European Commission has defined 46 mandatory data points for electric vehicle batteries: manufacturing, capacity, estimated lifespan, state of health, end-of-life conditions.
This digital passport will structure the resale market. A buyer will be able to consult the complete history of the battery before signing, which reduces the information asymmetry that weighed on used transactions.
- The SoH displayed at dealerships allows for comparing offers based on an objective criterion, without external expertise.
- The European digital passport covers manufacturing, residual capacity, and recycling conditions, representing a much broader scope than a simple one-time diagnosis.
- Refurbished packs are also included within the scope of the regulation, which frames a segment that is still poorly standardized.
Access to Vehicle Data: The European Regulatory Challenge
Beyond batteries, the question of access to technical data from connected vehicles is becoming a regulatory issue in its own right. The European data regulation aims to require manufacturers to provide users and authorized third parties access to the data generated by their vehicles.
In practice, this concerns diagnostic, consumption, location, and predictive maintenance data. Independent repairers, insurers, and fleet managers are the primary beneficiaries of this opening.
The stakes are twofold. For the consumer, access to their own vehicle’s data becomes a right, no longer a commercial concession from the manufacturer. For the used market, the availability of the complete technical history of a connected vehicle could change the criteria for assessing residual value.
Paris Motor Show 2026: Electric SUVs and Retro Concepts on the Agenda
The Paris Motor Show, taking place from October 12 to 18, 2026, at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, brings together over 60 brands. This edition announces more than 60 world premieres, a volume that positions this show as the most packed in several years.
Among the expected models, the compact electric SUV segment is attracting attention, notably with the Volkswagen ID. Tiguan. The segment of affordable electric city cars is also progressing, with the Dacia Spring 2 priced below the usual rates for the segment.
On the concept side, French manufacturers are playing the heritage card. Citroën presents a concept foreshadowing a return of the 2CV, while Renault showcases the Renault 8 Gordini Concept. These projects are not just style exercises: they test the market’s receptivity to neo-retro designed electric models, a niche that did not exist three years ago.
The automotive market of 2026 is read through its data more than through its promises. The 30% increase in used electric transactions in one year, the arrival of the digital battery passport in February 2027, and the regulatory opening of vehicle data outline an environment where technical transparency becomes the main lever of trust for the buyer.
