Summary
– New passenger car registrations in Germany increased by 20% year-over-year in April
– Plug-in electric car sales improved, with plug-in hybrids rebounding
– All-electric car sales remained flat year-over-year
– Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, BMW, and Audi had the highest number of newly registered plug-in cars
– Tesla Model Y remains the best-selling all-electric car model in Germany
Article
**Flat All-Electric Car Sales and Rebound of Plug-In Hybrids**
In April 2024, new passenger car registrations in Germany saw a 20% increase year-over-year, totaling 243,102. The first four months of the year also showed growth, with registrations reaching 937,887, an 8% increase from the previous year. However, all-electric car sales remained flat, while plug-in hybrids experienced a rebound. This trend is concerning due to the lack of EV incentives in 2024, highlighting the challenges for growth in the electric vehicle market.
**Challenges in Achieving Growth**
In 2023, Germany saw a decline in new plug-in car registrations, with almost 700,000 registrations, representing a 16% decrease compared to 2022. The current year also shows a slight decline, with 171,125 registrations so far, down by 1.5% year-over-year. Despite these challenges, April saw a positive uptick in plug-in electric car registrations, driven primarily by the increase in plug-in hybrids. However, the overall market share of plug-in cars decreased to 18.4%, highlighting the tough road ahead for achieving growth in the EV market.
**Market Share Trends for Plug-In Electric Cars**
In April, the total number of new plug-in electric car registrations in Germany reached 44,803, showing an 8% increase compared to the previous year. Battery-electric car registrations slightly decreased by 0.2% to 29,668, resulting in a market share of 12.2%. On the other hand, plug-in hybrid car registrations saw a significant increase of 28% to 15,135, capturing a 6.2% market share. The year-to-date numbers show a similar trend, with plug-in cars accounting for 18.2% of total registrations, down from 20% the previous year.
**Brand Performance in Plug-In Car Registrations**
Leading the pack in new plug-in car registrations last month were Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, BMW, and Audi, with Tesla lagging behind in eighth place. Mercedes-Benz had the highest number of registrations, with 7,081 units, followed closely by Volkswagen and BMW. Tesla, a prominent player in the EV market, faced tough competition from its German counterparts, indicating a shift in consumer preferences towards local brands. The year-to-date figures also reflect the dominance of Mercedes-Benz and BMW in the plug-in car segment.
**Top All-Electric Car Models in Germany**
The Tesla Model Y continues to lead as Germany’s best-selling all-electric car model in 2024, with 12,147 new registrations year-to-date, including 1,102 in April. However, other models like the Volkswagen ID.4/ID.5, Skoda Enyaq iV, and Audi Q4 e-tron showed better results in April, indicating a diversification in consumer preferences. The Volvo EX30 also emerged as a strong contender, with 1,064 units sold last month. Despite some models experiencing a decline in sales, the overall landscape of all-electric car models is evolving in Germany.
**Future Outlook for the Electric Vehicle Market**
As the electric vehicle market in Germany navigates challenges in achieving growth and shifts in consumer preferences, stakeholders need to adapt to the changing landscape. Government incentives, infrastructure development, and technological advancements will play a crucial role in boosting electric car sales and market share. The performance of leading brands and models will continue to shape the future of the EV market, highlighting the need for innovation and competitiveness in the industry. With a concerted effort towards sustainability and emission reduction, the electric vehicle market in Germany is poised for substantial growth in the coming years.
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