Electromobility
The number of new electric cars has fallen again
Demand for electric cars in Germany remains weak, and their share of new registrations is declining slightly. Sales of plug-in hybrids are currently doing much better.
Electric cars continue to have a difficult time in Germany. Almost 35,500 battery-electric cars (BEVs) hit the roads in October, as the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) announced. That was around five percent less than in the same month last year. Their share of all new registrations last month was around 15 percent. This corresponds to a decrease of almost two percentage points compared to October 2023.
However, demand for so-called plug-in hybrids, which have both an electric and a combustion engine drive, increased significantly. More than 19,300 hybrid vehicles were newly registered in October, around 18 percent more than in the same month last year. However, their climate benefit is considered to be significantly lower than that of fully electric cars.
Overall demand recovers slightly in October
In order to become 100 percent climate neutral, the negative trend in battery-electric vehicles must be reversed quickly, said André Schmidt, President of the Association of International Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (VDIK). “Financial incentives for vehicle purchases and charging current as well as further improvements to the charging infrastructure are essential prerequisites for the successful ramp-up of electromobility.”
Demand stabilized somewhat across all drive types in October. In total, the KBA registered around 232,000 new registrations last month, around six percent more than in the same month last year.
The German auto industry has been struggling with sales problems for a long time. Car manufacturer Volkswagen therefore recently announced a rigid austerity program and wants to reduce wages and salaries for its employees. There is also talk of the closure of three locations.
dpa
Source: Stern
