Isn't that because poor people can't buy even new cheap cars these days?

What is your definition of cheap?

The best-selling EV in France is the Dacia Spring and it is around €16k after government subsidy. The cheapest ICE vehicle is probably the Dacia Sandero, and it is around €10k.

I don't know if fuel prices would eat up the savings of an ICE car but I do know that electricity is very affordable in France.