Germany: 32% of new cars are electric

Germany: one in three new cars is already electric

What is happening in Germany for one out of three new cars to be electric? In August, the German automotive market registered 68,930 sales of 100% electric cars, accounting for 32.4% of the total. If plug-in hybrids are included (25,406 units, 12%), 44% of vehicles sold in the largest EU market are equipped with a plug. The figures, published by Europa Press, confirm a trend some view as unstoppable and others as a bubble sustained by subsidies.

The subsidy debate

The withdrawal of aid in 2023 caused a slump in sales, according to some analyses. Now, with the German market undergoing transition, the question is whether the electric car sustains itself or depends on public money. Some maintain that without subsidies, they wouldn't sell a single one, while others point out that the running cost is ridiculously low: charging at home costs about 20 cents per 100 kilometers, which translates to a saving of €250 compared to an old diesel.

The Chinese invasion

Meanwhile, Chinese brands are capitalizing on the situation. BYD grew by 371.8% year-on-year, with 5,256 units sold; Leapmotor by 172%, with 2,254; and MG by 54%, with 3,307. Despite the 30% tariffs imposed by the EU, Chinese peine continues to increase. This has led some to argue that the European industry is losing the battle, as evidenced by Volkswagen's announcement of laying off 50,000 employees.

Infrastructure and doubts

But it's not all bright. Skeptics point to infrastructure issues, battery costs, and recycling. It is also mentioned that in countries like France, the electric quota already reaches 38%, suggesting the phenomenon is not exclusively German. It is argued that the charging network is expanding rapidly, with increasingly complete maps, but doubts remain regarding the long-term viability of these vehicles.

Meanwhile, European manufacturers watch China with concern, and German drivers seem to have spoken with their wallets. The future of the automobile, at least in Germany, is no longer a matter of debate: it is a matter of plugs.