The statistics for 2025 reveal a surprising trend: while vehicle thefts are declining in France, 100% electric cars seem to escape the clutches of criminals. Between technological innovations and an unfavorable used car market, it appears that these clean vehicles have found the recipe to avoid sticky fingers.
A Significant Decline in Vehicle Thefts
Car thefts have seen a significant decrease in France in 2025, with a reduction of 9% compared to the previous year. This trend is confirmed by the Ministry of the Interior, which highlights that the figures are approaching those observed during the health crisis. While city cars and thermal SUVs remain the preferred targets of thieves, one fact stands out: 100% electric cars are almost always spared.
Car thefts have decreased in France in 2025. Not the refusals to comply. © Yayimages
The Reasons Behind This Decline
The decrease in vehicle thefts can be attributed to several factors. First, protection, tracking, and recovery solutions have multiplied in recent years. Security systems have improved, making it more difficult for thieves to succeed. However, despite these advancements, certain techniques, such as mouse-jacking, have spread among criminal networks. Nevertheless, the Ministry of the Interior notes a 9% decrease in thefts across the territory, an encouraging figure in a context where road safety is under threat.
Electric Cars Spared
Roole, the leading car club in France and a historical player in the prevention of car theft, reveals that 54% of thefts involve vehicles equipped with thermal engines, followed by hybrids at 36%. In contrast, 100% electric cars account for only 3% of thefts. This figure may seem trivial, but it can be explained by several factors. Firstly, reselling a stolen electric car is more complex due to the increased traceability of electric vehicles. Secondly, the limited range and long charging times scare off thieves, who prefer more traditional models.
100% electric vehicles accounted for only 3% of vehicle thefts in France in 2025. © Tesla
The Favorite Car of Thieves: The Renault Clio
In terms of vehicles favored by thieves, city cars and SUVs dominate the rankings. According to Roole, the Renault Clio remains the number one target for criminals with 347 thefts, followed by the Toyota RAV4 (162 thefts) and the Peugeot 208 (131 thefts). These five models alone account for nearly 37% of thefts in the territory! Easy to resell, these vehicles remain safe bets for criminals.
Increase in Refusals to Comply
While the figures regarding thefts are encouraging, the same cannot be said for refusals to comply. The Ministry of the Interior recorded an 11% increase in road refusals to comply in 2025. After a period of stability in 2024 and two consecutive declines, this figure is alarming. These deliberate acts endanger not only drivers but also law enforcement and innocent road users.
In summary, as the French automotive landscape evolves with the rise of electric vehicles, it is essential to remain vigilant against diversifying theft techniques. Automotive security is more than ever a crucial issue that must be addressed to protect our precious vehicles. For up-to-date information on road safety and automotive market trends, feel free to check our Auto News section.
