ADAC expects increasing registration numbers for electric cars

(dpa) This year, more electric cars could hit the road in Germany than in 2024, believes the ADAC. Reliable political framework conditions are important. Expert Dudenhöffer agrees.

Electric cars are charging at a charging station at the Ohligser Heide West motorway service station. (Photo: Henning Kaiser/dpa)
Electric cars are charging at a charging station at the Ohligser Heide West motorway service station. (Photo: Henning Kaiser/dpa)

The ADAC expects an increase in electric car registrations for the current year, as pressure on manufacturers rises due to reduced CO2 fleet limits. Car buyers could potentially benefit from this through higher discounts, the transport club announced. 

The electric car boom in Germany came to an abrupt halt last year. According to the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), only about 380,600 pure electric cars were newly registered in 2024. This was more than a quarter less than the year before. To increase the attractiveness of e-mobility, cheaper models as well as affordable and transparent charging prices are crucial, emphasized the ADAC.

Positive outlook for affordable entry-level models

The transport club views positively that some manufacturers have announced new entry-level models for this year under 25,000 euros.

"The range of models is growing, and the expansion of the charging infrastructure is also progressing," said Stefan Gerwens, Head of Transport at ADAC. In 2024, the number of charging points increased by over 20 percent, with fast chargers even by almost 40 percent. However, there are still large differences and uncertainties in the prices for charging electricity.

According to ADAC, the outcome of the federal election at the end of February is also likely to be decisive.

"Reliable political framework conditions are indispensable for the ramp-up of e-mobility," said Gerwens.

Private buyers either postponed a purchasing decision or switched to combustion engines in view of ongoing uncertainties.

Purchase premium or not?

Industry expert Ferdinand Dudenhöffer considers the E-car premium of 4,000 euros proposed by the CSU as a good suggestion, but not just for German products.

“If we want electromobility, we shouldn't exclude Chinese or French cars,” Dudenhöffer told the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung.”

A general purchase premium should, however, be combined with an overall strategy.

“We need to show people that the electric car is desired in the long term and represents the new form of mobility. A 4,000 euro check alone is not enough.”

Dudenhöffer criticized the demand by Union's chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz to revoke the EU combustion engine ban.

“Overturning the combustion engine phase-out means telling people: Please don’t buy E-cars!”

Criticism of Politics

Overall, the founder of the private Center Automotive Research (CAR) had little good to say about the party plans for electric cars. The name Robert Habeck stands for the crash landing of the electric car in Germany. Now the Green party's chancellor candidate wants to save the whole thing with an idea copied from Tesla - with just a 1,000-euro charging credit and a highly complicated process. 

The tax credit planned by the SPD for the purchase of an electric car is indeed better than the "substance-free Habeck proposal," but in the expert's opinion, it will not turn the tide either.

"What counts is the price of the car at the seller's - hardly anyone knows the vehicle taxes."

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