Decline in Electric Vehicle Sales in Germany Amidst Rising Traditional Car Market

Germany’s June Car Registrations: Rise in Overall Sales But Decline in Plug-in EV Market

In June, Germany experienced a notable 6.1% year-over-year increase in new passenger car registrations, reaching a total of 297,329 units. This positive trend contributed to a first-half tally of 1,471,641 units, marking a 5.4% rise compared to the previous year. However, the landscape for plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) wasn’t as robust.

Declining Plug-In EV Sales in June

Despite the overall boost in vehicle registrations, the number of new plug-in electric car registrations saw a disappointing decrease. In June, 58,803 plug-in electric cars were registered, a decline of 15% year-over-year. Consequently, the market share for plug-in vehicles fell to 19.8%, down from 24.6% in the same month last year.

Challenging Road Ahead for Plug-In EV Market

The downward trend is more concerning when looking at the 2023 figures. So far this year, Germany has seen approximately 273,674 new plug-in car registrations, a 9% drop from the previous year. In 2023, nearly 700,000 new plug-in cars were registered, which was a 16% decrease compared to 2022. These numbers suggest that achieving growth in 2024 might be a significant challenge, especially given the absence of EV incentives.

Battery-Electric and Plug-in Hybrid Trends

June’s battery-electric vehicle (BEV) registrations plunged by 18% year-over-year to 43,412 units, reducing the BEV market share to 14.6% from last year’s 18.9%. Plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) registrations also saw a decline, falling 3.4% year-over-year to 15,391 units.

Plug-in Vehicle Registration Breakdown (Year-over-Year Change)

• BEVs: 43,412 (down 18%), 14.6% market share
• PHEVs: 15,391 (down 3.4%), 5.2% market share
• Total Plug-ins: 58,803 (down 15%), 19.8% market share

Year-to-Date Performance

From January to June 2023, 273,674 new passenger plug-in electric cars were registered, which is a 9% drop from last year. This sum represents 18.6% of the total sales volume, down from 21.4% the previous year.

Year-to-Date Plug-in Vehicle Registration Breakdown (Year-over-Year Change)

• BEVs: 184,125 (down 16%), 12.5% market share
• PHEVs: 89,549 (up 13%), 6.1% market share
• Total Plug-ins: 273,674 (down 9%), 18.6% market share

Top Performing Brands and Models

Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW led in plug-in electric car registrations in June. Volkswagen registered 9,725 units, Mercedes-Benz 5,611, and BMW 3,444.

Top Brands in the All-Electric Segment (June)

• Volkswagen: 9,398 BEVs
• MG: 4,669 BEVs
• Tesla: 4,648 BEVs

Tesla saw a steep 42% decline in year-over-year sales in June. The numbers indicate a reduced presence compared to 2023.

Top Brands in Plug-in Registrations (Total Units)

• Volkswagen: 9,725 (9,398 BEVs, 327 PHEVs)
• Mercedes-Benz: 5,611 (2,149 BEVs, 3,462 PHEVs)
• BMW: 5,232 (3,444 BEVs, 1,788 PHEVs)
• MG: 4,670 (4,669 BEVs, 1 PHEV)
• Tesla: 4,648 BEVs

Year-to-Date Brand Performance

Mercedes-Benz maintained its lead in total rechargeable car registrations, while Volkswagen solidified its dominance in the all-electric segment, with 29,213 units registered compared to Tesla’s 21,249.

Key Brand Performances (2023 Year-to-Date)

• Mercedes-Benz: 37,173 (15,494 BEVs, 21,679 PHEVs)
• Volkswagen: 31,164 (29,213 BEVs, 1,951 PHEVs)
• BMW: 29,285 (18,312 BEVs, 10,973 PHEVs)
• Tesla: 21,249 BEVs

Leading Electric Models

The Tesla Model Y remains Germany’s best-selling all-electric car, with 16,662 units sold year-to-date, despite a 40% decline. Following at a distance is the Volkswagen ID.4/ID.5 duo, with 11,119 units, down by 40%.

Top All-Electric Models (2023 Year-to-Date)

• Tesla Model Y: 16,662 units (down 40%)
• Volkswagen ID.4/ID.5: 11,119 units (down 40%)
• Skoda Enyaq iV: 9,629 units (up 24%)
• Volkswagen ID.3: 13,310 units (up 12%)
• Audi Q4 e-tron: 7,115 units (down 14%)

Summary

While Germany’s overall car market is seeing growth, the plug-in electric vehicle segment has faced setbacks. The decline in registrations and market share, coupled with the lack of EV incentives, creates a challenging environment for future growth. Brands like Volkswagen and Tesla still maintain a strong presence, but the market dynamics are ever-evolving. As 2024 approaches, stakeholders in the EV market must navigate these complexities to foster growth and adoption in the coming years.

For more insights and updates, stay connected with us at automotive.fyi.