A new survey in 2024 shows German people continue to believe in e-car myths.
According to a survey in 2024, half of Germans do not want to buy an electric car. The reasons given by those surveyed turned out to be myths. There is a lot of misinformation circulating about electromobility.
A survey by the market research company Appinio shows that half of Germans do not want to buy an electric car. The reasons are the short range, the high susceptibility to breakdowns, the inadequate charging infrastructure and the high charging costs. However, these concerns are partly a misunderstanding.
Electric vehicle sales in Germany fell in the first half of 2024
In the first half of 2024, Germany’s electric car market faced significant challenges. Here are some key points:
- Decline in sales: Battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales in Germany dropped by 16.4% with approximately 162,000 units sold compared to around 194,000 units in the same period in 2023. This decline was partly due to the abrupt removal of purchase subsidies.
- Impact on the EU market: Germany’s performance had a notable impact on the overall EU electric car market. While the EU saw a modest growth of 1.3% in BEV sales, excluding Germany, the increase was 9.4%.
- Market share: The share of new BEV registrations in Germany decreased to 12.5% in the first half of 2024, down from 15.8% in the same period in 2023.
- Brand performance: Tesla experienced a significant drop in sales, with a 41.6% decrease, with around 18,000 units sold compared to around 30,800 units in the same period in 2023. In the same time, BYD’s sales increased by 427%, with approximately 7,900 units sold compared to 1,500 units in the same period in 2023.
- Regulatory environment: The lack of a stable and supportive regulatory environment was cited as a key factor in the German market’s stagnation. Comparatively, countries with strong incentives for EV adoption, like Belgium and France, saw significant growth in their BEV markets.
Overall, Germany’s electric car market struggled in the first half of 2024, highlighting the importance of consistent and supportive policies for the growth of the EV sector.
The facts about electric cars: Greater range and lower operating costs
The range of electric cars has now improved significantly. Most models can travel up to 400 kilometers with a single charge, some even over 600 kilometers. In 2024, the cost of charging was 50 percent cheaper than filling up a gasoline car and 40 percent cheaper than diesel. Although electric cars are more expensive to buy, lower operating costs such as insurance, maintenance and taxes make up for this.
